AUGUSTA, Maine — A bill that toughens Maine’s stance on bullying in schools won legislative approval this week after months of revisions.
The measure, LD 1237, provides educators and administrators with a clear definition of bullying, explicitly forbids bullying behavior, offers schools alternative discipline strategies, and outlines prevention policies and training for teachers.
Existing Maine law required that bullying be addressed in a student code of conduct, which supporters of the bill said led to inconsistencies statewide.
Children’s advocates, civil liberties groups, religious organizations and teachers cheered the bill’s passage late Wednesday in the House and Senate.
“Teachers know firsthand that students can’t learn if they’re scared to be in school. This bill will help make sure that all kids feel safe in their classrooms and can focus on learning,” Chris Galgay, president of the Maine Education Association, said in a press release.
The Christian Civic League of Maine, which criticized the version of the bill introduced last spring as a threat to students’ free speech, supported it after extensive reworking by the Legislature’s Education Committee.
Carroll Conley Jr., the league’s executive director and a former school headmaster, said his organization was gratified to see new language that protects students’ First Amendment rights.
Opposition last year also included the Alliance Defense Fund, a national group that has opposed same-sex marriage and equal rights for gays and lesbians.
The legislation’s sponsor, Rep. Terry Morrison, D-South Portland, said in January that some had unfortunately characterized the measure as a “gay bill.” Morrison, who is openly gay, said at the time that the bill was aimed at protecting kids who are frightened to go to school.
“This bill will make a real and positive difference in the lives of all of our students. While many schools in Maine are doing good work, this bill would ensure that all students are protected no matter what community they live in,” Mary L. Bonauto, an attorney with Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders, said in the release.
The bill also was revised to give schools flexibility in crafting anti-bullying policies, said Zachary Heiden, legal director for the American Civil Liberties Union of Maine. The state Education Department will develop a model policy with recommendations from schools, provided the bill wins Gov. Paul LePage’s signature, he said.
“Schools are going to be able to work on these issues on their own with their individual policies,” Heiden said.
Nearly 48 percent of Maine middle school students and 23 percent of high schoolers in Maine report being bullied on school property, according to the 2009 Maine Integrated Youth Health Survey. About 40 percent of middle schoolers and 18 percent of high school students in the state were bullied away from school.
Let’s hope the Bully-in-Chief doesn’t use the old line item veto on this one. Seems he’s pro-bullying.
This bill should give Paulie fits. If he signs it, he is a hypocrite. If he doesn’t, it will be an admission that, to him, bullying is the way to go – the hell with who gets hurt.
all political BS aside,very good to see something done about this
I remember High School . They would pay this game punch you in the arm as hard as you can. I did not want to play that game. I told the kid if you do it one more time I will punch you in the mouth has hard as I can . I did and suspended from school . I should have told the kid I will cut your finger off with that class ring on it and did it. I never understood bullies . They are the first ones to cry and get you in trouble for trying to defend yourself. Usually have well refined social skills and get away with it. People with less social skills get in trouble .
I’d like to know if the bill holds parents responsible for the brats that they produce since they’re minors. Also like to know how many of the bullies attended Head-Start at our expense because the parents had no interest in teaching their child some manners and respect for others.
Yes, it does appear much focus is on bullying behavior of children instead of broadening the look to include where the behavior may start – with adults. It’s laughable sometimes to read publications listing “best places to live”; Brunswick is sometimes listed. Perhaps some of those writing or saying this haven’t seen what occurs in town mettings. Adults are encouraged to be a part of their communities; but the realties are often that when councilors don’t agree with your point of view they let you know by nonberbal language and calling “point of order”on the speaker to intimidate and stop the person from speaking. Gangs of the opposing position sometimes form a gauntlet by the doorway to jeer or make inappropriate comments as the person who dared to speak leaves the meeting. After one meeting such as this, a prominent businessman, angrily poked his finger into the chest of a woman as he spoke to her. Although a Brunswick police officer witnessed it and complaint was filed, no arrest was made, the police said, “…after all, it’s (TC)!” This is only a fragment of the adult bullying. The bullying in the Jr. High and High Schools are prevalent; adults appear to witness it, ignore it, and even participate…one mother said of the Junior High, “I wouldn’t send my dog there.” As far as the MCLU, they’ve been informed… we’ve received no response. Concerning the Christian Civic League’s opposition to to bill due to “free speech”, bullying is not free speech.
I can’t imagine the Bath/Brunswick area being listed as good for anything. It’s a cesspool of drug addicts and punks that never want to leave their mommies apron strings.
What you observed at the town meeting isn’t surprising.
I’m glad this problem is being addressed.
Bangor is no paradise either. A friend of mine was sitting in a park minding her own business. She wasn’t doing anything except getting outside for some fresh air and having a conversation on her phone with someone about something that was bothering her. These skateboarding punks, who probably didn’t see her using her cell phone, accused her of being on bath salts. How ridiculous and rude was that? Can’t even sit down in a park and talk to someone on the phone without the young kids disrespecting you. Makes you wonder what is going on at home. I do hope that the parents are held responsible. After all they are the role models for their kids. Monkey see, Monkey do.