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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2017 - 2018
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | January 12, 2017 05:14 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Dom Costa |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Applying Bullying Provisions of Public School Code to Nonpublic Schools |
| In the near future, I plan to re-introduce legislation that will amend Section 1303.1-A of the Public School Code to require nonpublic schools to adopt a bullying policy and to review this policy annually with students. The statistics regarding bullying are truly alarming. Every 7 minutes a child is bullied. Additionally, 1 out of 4 teens are bullied, as bullying generally peaks in middle childhood years. Bullying can have lasting psychological effects on victims, and continues to be a problem of national implications. It not only disrupts a child’s learning environment, but all too often, their life. Eight percent of students stay home on any given day because they are afraid of being bullied. Currently, all public school entities in Pennsylvania are required to have a bullying policy in place, and must review this policy each year with students. The policy must delineate disciplinary consequences for bullying and identify the appropriate school staff person to receive reports of alleged bullying. As we all know, however, bullying is not strictly confined to public schools. Considering this, my legislation will amend Section 1303.1-A of the Public School Code to require nonpublic schools to devise similar bullying policies by January 1, 2018. My legislation will help ensure that all students across Pennsylvania, regardless of what school they attend, know the consequences of bullying and where to go for help if they see bullying occurring at their school or are victims themselves. Children should be able to learn in an environment where they feel safe and comfortable. Please join me in co-sponsoring this important legislation. |
Introduced as HB326