In September 2010, Rutgers University student Tyler Clementi committed suicide after his roommate secretly recorded a video of him having a sexual encounter with another male student and uploaded it onto the Internet. In September 2011, a year after the incident, New Jersey passed the strictest anti-bullying law in the country. This law requires that schools train their staff to recognize bullying and form “safety teams” to respond to complaints.

by Alyssa Miller ‘13

The New Jersey “Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights” is a terrific first step toward eradicating bullying in public schools. Not only does it discourage bullying among students, it also teaches administrators about bullying, how to recognize it, and what to do about it.

Before the “Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights,” teenagers who witnessed bullying had to struggle with whether or not they should report it. New Jersey’s new bill increases the likelihood of a teacher noticing the bullying, saving adolescent witnesses from having to make such a difficult decision.

Additionally, prior to the passage of this bill, any staff members that came across an instance of bullying were free to handle the situation however they saw fit. Now, however, teachers who do not report bullying risk being disciplined. The threat of punishment encourages teachers to report any suspicious activity they notice, creating an overall safer environment for the students.

The new bill does not place the burden solely on school administrators; the punishment for bullying has become much more effective than in previous years. Rather than just the threat of detention, bullies who are reported now face suspension or even expulsion. Punishments this severe go on a student’s permanent record, which will be seen by colleges and potential employers. In the past, bullying could go on for months before being reported, if ever. With the new bill, bullying is required to be reported immediately, and action is taken on the first offense. Students are less likely to risk bullying if they know that they will almost definitely be punished.

This new bill is much more detailed than previous anti-bullying laws; not only does it address bullying in schools, but cyber bullying as well. In today’s technological age, cyber bullying is at least as big of a problem as bullying in person, if not more so. Teachers who see bullying online, on school buses, or anywhere else beyond school grounds are still expected to report the incident. Students are protected by this bill wherever they go, not just on campus.

With its tougher punishments, tighter rules and educational programs, the New Jersey “Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights” is certainly an improvement over previous anti-bullying laws. Several states have adopted similar bills, though none quite as strict as that of New Jersey. Too many schools have lenient rules that “discourage” bullying, but do not actually stop the behavior. New Jersey should be applauded for its innovative approach to anti-bullying laws, and more states should definitely follow suit.

To read more on this topic, check out Con: New Jersey Overreacts to Bullying