Greenstein Bill Combatting School 'E-Bullies' Becomes Law

GREENSTEIN BILL COBATTING SCHOOL 'E-BULLIES'
SIGNED INTO LAW BY GOVERNOR
Measure Calls for School Anti-Bullying Roles
To Extend to Threatening E-Mails, Text Messages

(TRENTON) - Legislation Assemblywoman Linda Greenstein sponsored to protect students from a new scourge - fellow students who use the Internet and other electronic devices to engage in harassment, bullying and intimidation - is now state law.

Governor Corzine signed Greenstein's measure (S-993/A-3803) into law late Monday. It also is sponsored by Assemblyman Gordon Johnson (D-Bergen), Assemblywoman Pamela Lampitt (D-Camden), and Assemblywoman Valerie Vanieri Huttle (D-Bergen).

"With the advent of the Internet and the proliferation of cell phones, many bullies have taken to high-tech harassment of other students," said Greenstein (D-Middlesex/Mercer). "School policies must send a clear message that bullying in all forms is wrong and will not be tolerated."

The law requires school districts to include threatening electronic communications - including e-mail and text messaging via cell phone, among others - in the definition of harassment, intimidation or bullying. Current definitions are limited in that they include only gestures and written, verbal, or physical acts, but not electronic communications.

Under the law, any school that does not proactively act to amend its anti-bullying policy to include an electronic communication within 30 days of enactment automatically will have its district policy deemed as including electronic communication as specifically defined by the measure. Under a 2002 state law, all school districts are required to adopt a policy prohibiting the harassment, intimidation or bullying of students.

"The most disturbing aspect of electronic bullying is that a student doesn't even need to be within sight of his or her tormenter to feel threatened," said Greenstein. "E-mail and cell phones have made it possible for any student to be harassed at any time, in any place."

-- 30 --