Michigan Passes Anti-Bullying Legislation

Date: December 21, 2011

After time consuming debate and conference sessions Michigan Governor Rick Snyder signed into law the State’s first anti-bullying bill.  The new law is informally called “Matt’s safe school law” after Matt Epling, a student who committed suicide after being repeatedly bullied at his school, and whose father championed the new legislation.  

This new legislation is the collaboration of many groups and individuals, and the Detroit ADL is proud to have been an integral part of that collaboration.  The ADL nationally is at the forefront of promoting and educating on anti-bullying policy and it’s much read policy toolkit, which can be downloaded for free by clicking here, contains much of the language which found its way into the new Michigan law. 

In recognition of the ADL’s advocacy work and its participation in the efforts to formulate this legislation, ADL Detroit Regional Director Betsy Kellman was proud to be invited attend the event of the bill signing by Governor Snyder at the Capitol on December 6^th. 

The Detroit ADL congratulates the Michigan Legislature on the passing of this bill and looks forward to partnering with our local schools in educating them on this new legislation.  This legislation will work as another tool for the ADL and our school partners,  along with our popular No Place For Hate ® and A World of Difference ® programming, to continue to educate and provide for our students.