The Anti-Defamation League’s Mountain States Office applauded the passage today of House Bill 1254 concerning the reduction of bullying in Colorado schools.  ADL Mountain States Regional Director Scott L. Levin issued the following statement:

ADL applauds the bipartisan effort by the Colorado House and Senate to pass House Bill 1254, especially the leadership of Representatives Kevin Priola and Sue Schafer and Senator Pat Steadman, the bill’s sponsors.  We look forward to the Governor’s signature on this important piece of legislation.

We are pleased that the legislature recognized the need to update Colorado’s laws that address bullying to add references to electronic bullying.  In today’s world, students cannot escape harassment and bullying by leaving the school grounds or the school bus.  Through the use of electronic media, bullying follows them home, even invading the privacy of their bedrooms, on computer screens or text messages.

ADL also appreciates that HB 1254 references categories of students who are frequently the victims of bullying, including students targeted because of their race, religion, national origin, sex, disability, or sexual orientation.

Schools must develop strategies to teach children about cyberbullying and its impact, mechanisms for prevention and response need to be established, and everyone in our schools must be trained. All of this needs to be in place before an incident occurs.  HB 1254 provides a framework for schools to address this serious contemporary issue.