Bill to Strengthen Anti-Bullying Law

Published Jan. 29, 2010 at 2:53 a.m.

(WSB Radio State Capitol Bureau) -- The death of a DeKalb County fifth grader last year prompts legislation aimed at strengthening Georgia's anti-bullying law.

The family of Jaheem Herrera says he hanged himself at home last April after being bullied at school. His mother Masika Bermudez also claims she was never notified by the school of an incident in a school bathroom where her son was choked until he became unconscious .

House Bill 927 would require all parents be notified of any bullying incident.  It also requires police to be called when any physical altercation occurs.

"Current state law with respect to bullying is horrendously inadequate.  We clearly need to strengthen it...and I think that we are on the road to strengthening it with this bill," says sponsor Rep. Mike Jacobs (R-Atlanta).

The measure would expand the definition of bullying to include cyber bullying.  It would also apply to elementary schools.  Currently only middle and high schools fall under the law.

"I think the climate that has been precipitated over the last few years in elementary school, middle school, and high school is just getting to the point where something needs to be done.  I reviewed Georgia's law on bullying and found it woefully ineffective and it only covered sixth through 12th grade," says Gerald Griggs, the attorney for Bermudez who spoke during a subcommittee hearing on her behalf.

While current law allows schools to transfer bullies to alternative schools on the third offense, HB 927 would allow schools to do so at any time.  That prompted concern by some committee members.

"(I'm concerned) when it's that single offense, whether or not we run the risk of elevating every single childhood act to an act of bullying if you have overly aggressive enforcement," says Rep. Stacey Abrams (D-Atlanta).

An independent study by DeKalb schools into the Herrera case found that bullying was not the cause of the student's suicide.

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