Philadelphia, PA, April 25, 2013…The Anti-Defamation League submitted testimony to the Pennsylvania House Education Committee today in support of House Bill 156, legislation that would strengthen Pennsylvania’s anti-bullying law. ADL’s testimony urged lawmakers to support House Bill 156, so that Pennsylvania can join the majority of states with comprehensive laws protecting students from bullying and cyber-bullying.
“While Pennsylvania has a bullying law on its books, we lag behind the rest of the country in providing strong and effective protection from cyberbullying and bullying for our children,” said Nancy Baron-Baer, Associate Regional Director for the Anti-Defamation League’s Eastern Pennsylvania Regional Office. Baron-Baer added, “This bill, and protecting our students, our leaders of the future, should be a priority for all of us.”
House Bill 156, also known as The PA Safe Schools or PASS ACT would require clearer definitions of bullying and cyberbullying, provide prevention and remediation tools for all teachers and school staff on incidents of bullying, establish reporting requirements and accountability so no student is left behind, and allow for parents and the community to support the adoption of anti-bullying policies.