New York has no anti-bullying law - The Saratogian (saratogian.com)The 
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New York has no anti-bullying law
Sunday, February 22, 2009 5:17 AM EST
By PAUL POST, The Saratogian
SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Vermont State Legislature approved an anti-bullying law 
seven months after Ryan Halligan’s passing.

It’s one of 38 states to adopt such legislation since 1999 when Georgia was the 
first to take action.

But a national watchdog group gives New York an “F” for its failure to pass any 
type of anti-bullying law, despite repeated efforts.

“Florida and Kentucky have the best laws out there,” said Brenda High of Bully 
Police USA. “They make accountability the biggest part of the law. 
Responsibility should be at the local level. If you don’t obey the law, we’re 
going to withhold funds from your school district.

“When school boards adopt these laws they should be as tough as possible.”

Different proposals from both sides of the political aisle have been advanced, 
but never approved in New York. One is called the Dignity for All Students Act. 
While promoting respect and tolerance, it doesn’t specifically address school 
bullying.

“You’ve got to use straight, plain language,” said John Halligan, Ryan’s father, 
of Underhill, Vt.

He said that anti-bullying legislation has helped school administrators greatly 
in states that have adopted it.

“In Vermont, it helped put this issue high on the priority list of things 
schools need to address,” he said. “It gives them something to fall back on when 
problems arise.”

On one occasion, a Vermont school principal reprimanded a girl for making fun of 
a boy in the hallway, a clear case of bullying. Defending herself, the girl said 
she was only teasing and her outraged mother came in, too, taking her side.

Explaining the process, the principal said how the girl’s behavior was not only 
unacceptable, but breaking the law.

“The girl was shocked, the mother left speechless,” Halligan said. “There wasn’t 
anything more to discuss. The principal felt the law gave the issue a lot more 
teeth. Parents, students, administrators in Vermont have all appreciated the 
value of this law.”

High said it’s important that legislation not give the appearance of defending 
specific groups based on race or sexual orientation, because bullying is 
bullying no matter who the victim is.

“You shouldn’t have any definitions of a victim in your law,” she said. “When 
New York state finally gets past this, they’ll have a law passed. If they 
followed Florida right to a ‘T’ they’d be very happy.”

During school presentations, Halligan encourages students to write elected 
officials, asking them to approve anti-bullying legislation.

Bully Police USA says the best anti-bullying legislation addresses 12 specific 
points. They are:

— The word “bullying” must be used in the text of the bill.

— The law must clearly be an anti-bullying law, not a school safety law.

— There must be definitions of bullying and harassment.

— There should be recommendations about how to make policy and what needs to be 
in the model policy.

— A good law involves education specialists at all levels, starting with the 
state superintendent’s (education) office, through to the school districts, 
schools, parents and students.

— A good law mandates anti-bullying programs, not suggests programs.

— Laws should include a date the model policy is due, when the schools need to 
have their policies in place, (in keeping with the anti bullying law 
requirements), and when the anti bullying programs must be in effect.

— There must be protection against reprisal, retaliation or false accusation.

— There must be school district protection against lawsuits upon compliance to 
policies.

ä The top rated law will put the emphasis on the victims of bullying by 
assigning counseling for victims who suffer for years after peer abuse.

— There must be accountability reports made to either lawmakers or the state 
education superintendent and there must be a consequence assigned to 
schools/districts who don’t comply with the law.

— Having a cyberbullying clause in a law is essential as cyberbullying is 
becoming a chronic social issue.

For information, go to the Web site, www.bullypolice. org.
URL: 
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