ADL Supports Anti-Bullying Legislation in Massachusetts

Date: October 6, 2009

Resources
HB 483 (pdf)
Outline of the Bill (pdf)
Committment Letter (pdf)


Why a Bullying Prevention Law is Needed
Bullying can have tragic consequences for individuals, families, and communities at large. Children and youth who are bullied are more likely than other children to suffer from depression, loneliness, anxiety, low self-esteem, and thoughts of suicide. Children who bully are more likely than their peers to engage in physical violence, property theft, vandalism, smoking, drinking alcohol, school absenteeism, and often times, fail to graduate.

HB 483: An Act Relative to the Prevention of Bullying
HB 483 addresses harassment, intimidation, bullying, and cyberbullying in any public educational institution by:

• Defining bullying as unwelcome written, electronic, verbal or physical acts or gestures where a student feels coerced, intimidated, harassed or threatened
• Requiring school boards to adopt anti-harassment and bullying policies
• Requiring the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to develop a model policy and training materials, to review school districts for compliance, and to submit annual reports to the state legislature

HB 483 achieves these goals without infringing on an individual's right to free speech or creating new grounds for a lawsuit.

What you can do to help
Join the coalition in support of HB 483 and help raise public awareness about this issue across the Commonwealth. If you have any questions, contact Robert Trestan, ADL Eastern States Civil Rights Counsel at 617-406-6300.

Current Coalition Members
Anti-Defamation League
Anti-Violence Project
Asian Law Caucus
Cambridge Commission on the Status of Women
Eyes on Bullying (Education Development Center)
The Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts
Fenway Health
Greater Boston Civil Rights Coalition
Jewish Alliance for Law and Social Action (JALSA)
Jewish Federation of the Berkshires
Join the Impact MA
Massachusetts Association of Registered Nurses 
Massachusetts Association of School Business Officials
Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association (MCOPA)
Massachusetts Conference, United Church of Christ
Massachusetts Council of Churches
Massachusetts Gay and Lesbian Political Caucus (MGLPC)
Massachusetts School Nurse Organization
Massachusetts School Psychologist Association
Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children
Massachusetts Speech Language Hearing Association
Massachusetts Teachers Association (MTA)
Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition
Microsoft Corporation 
NA’AMAT USA
National Association of Social Workers
National Black Police Association
National Center for Women and Policing
National Center for Victims of Crime
The National Conference for Community and Justice of Connecticut and Western Massachusetts, Inc.
New England Conference of the United Methodist Church
New England Therapeutic Recreation Association
Parents, Families & Friends of Lesbians & Gays (PFLAG)
United Auto Workers, Local 2322
YMCA of Greater Boston