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Summary: New rules require tracking of reported cases by designated persons at each school. The legislation now also covers incidents of bullying that occur off school grounds, such as cyber-bullying or text messages.
[6 September 2011] – New Jersey’s anti-bullying laws, which came into effect on September 1, are claimed to be the toughest in the country, requiring schools to fully track reports of bullying and harassment reported by students. The new bill, signed by Governor Chris Christie in January 2011, sets out procedures for school districts to follow. It stipulates that all staff members must receive training on how to deal with instances of bullying, and mandates timelines and procedures for documenting and investigating reports of harassment, intimidation and bullying. Anti-bullying specialists will also be appointed to each school. Setting a precedent Forty-seven US states already have anti-bullying legislation (New Jersey previously had a weaker law in place), but New Jersey’s new law goes far beyond what most others require. Aside from extensive training of staff, schools are also required to appoint safety teams comprised of parents, teachers and staff, and initiate an investigation of every allegation of bullying within one day of it being report, with a full investigation to follow in the next 10 days by the school Principal. Anti-bullying laws in other states have similar aims but lack the rigorous monitoring and quick response mechanisms that New Jersey is putting in place. Under the law, bullying is defined as an action that "substantially disrupts or interferes with the orderly operation of the school or the rights of other students," and which could be expected to cause physical or emotional harm to another student, or which is insulting or demeaning or creates a hostile environment. School superintendents are also required to report all of the incidents that occurred within the past six months in a public hearing, held twice a year. Those reports are then provided to the state education department, which will include them in "school report cards" online. Beyond the school yard Assemblywoman Valerie Vainieri Huttle sponsored the law and commends that it forces schools to act even when bullying extends beyond their doors. Lawmakers highlighted that bullying does not stop after three o’ clock when students go home; it also happens through texting or social media. The new bill now includes incidents of bulling and harassment that occur off school grounds, such as cyber-bullying or text messages. And administrators who fail to take action after becoming aware of a problem are subject to discipline. Some superintendents and school board members across New Jersey, however, highlight that they have not been allocated additional resources to meet the law’s mandates. Spreading the anti-bullying culture The East Hanover district council has established a new partnership with Crimestoppers, setting up a programme intended to make reporting instances of bullying easier by accepting anonymous text messages, calls or tips to its website. It then forwards the information to school and local police officials. Meanwhile in Elizabeth, anti-bullying efforts will start in the classroom, with a series of posters and programmes, including role-playing exercises. “The whole push is to incorporate the anti-bullying process into the culture,” Lucila Hernandez, a school psychologist, said. “We’re empowering children to use the term ‘bullying’ and to speak up for themselves and for others.” Sources: Time Magazine, CBS Local, Warren Patch, The New York Times, Further Information: