Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) introduced the Safe Schools Improvement Act to safeguard against bullying and harassment in K-12 schools. The bill would require school districts to adopt codes of conduct specifically prohibiting bullying and harassment on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including sexual orientation, gender identity, and sex characteristics), disability, and religion. Companion legislation has been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Representative Linda T. Sánchez (D-CA-38).
“Bullying and harassment at school and on social media harm the mental and emotional health of far too many students,” said Senator Casey. “Every child deserves to go to school and learn without fear or intimidation. This commonsense legislation will ensure school districts across the country take proactive steps to combat bullying and keep kids safe.”
"Bullying is harmful and destructive behavior that we must take seriously,” said Congresswoman Sánchez. “Our kids should be able to wake up and go to school every day without fear of being bullied when they get there. As the mother of a highschooler myself, I know this bill will bring peace of mind to parents, teachers, school administrators and staff, and I know it will make a difference for countless students in hallways and classrooms across the country.”
The Safe Schools Improvement Act will require schools and school districts receiving federal funding to specifically prohibit bullying and harassment; provide annual notice to parents, students, and education professionals on prohibited conduct and procedures for students or parents to report incidents of bullying or harassment; and support efforts to prevent and respond to incidents of bullying and harassment both in school and online through prevention programs and policies with proven effectiveness.
The bill is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Laphonza Butler (D-CA), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Ben Cardin (D-MD), Tom Carper (D-DE), Chris Coons (D-DE), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Dick Durbin (D-IL), John Fetterman (D-PA), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ben Ray Lujan (D-NM), Ed Markey (D-MA), Jeff Merkley (D-OE), Patty Murray (D-WA), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Gary Peters (D-MI), Jack Reed (D-RI), Bernie Sanders (D-VT), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Tina Smith (D-MN), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Mark Warner (D-VA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), and Ron Wyden (D-OR).
The bill is supported by more than 50 organizations, including the National PTA; the American Federation of Teachers; the American Library Association; Big Brothers Big Sisters of America; the Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network; the Human Rights Campaign; Unidos; the Anti-Defamation League; and the American Unity Fund.
Read more about the Safe Schools Improvement Act here.
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