Yet again, a Senate bill has been filed proposing an amendment to the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) “to take action to prevent bullying and harassment of students” (p. 1; S. 311). It was sent to committee in late January. An identically named bill submitted by Senator Casey (and co-sponsored by Senator Kirk) during the 113th Congress never even saw a vote.
This new bill suggests anti-bullying requirements can be added to the end of the current ESEA – which is itself overdue for reauthorization. Importantly, this bill would require states to establish enumerated anti-bullying policies. At present, there is no federal requirement in ESEA that students are to be protected from harassment, intimidation, or bullying in public schools.
Working from the text of Senator Casey’s bill from the last congressional session (as S.311 has not yet been provided in full text on Congress’ website), S.113 would be noteworthy in large part to the specifics of it’s definition and enumeration of bullying. If passed, students in public schools would be protected from bullying and harassment grounded in:
(A) a student’s actual or perceived race, color, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or religion;
(B) the actual or perceived race, color, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or religion of a person with whom a student associates or has associated
Passing this bill would represent a promising first step for Congress in beginning to address bullying at all. However, it is entirely plausible that the bill will be swallowed in committee and never see a floor vote – again.
You can find last session’s bill here: Download Here
