Coleman introduces ‘Asher’s Law’

by Tammye Nash

Today as LGBT citizens from around the state converged on Austin to lobby lawmakers on LGBT issues, state Rep. Garnet Coleman, a Democrat from Houston, introduced “Asher’s Law,” a bill that would “help protect our children before they are terrorized and traumatized both physically and mentally,” according to a press release from Coleman’s office.

Before this session of the Texas Legislature even began, Coleman had prefiled HB 1386. Asher’s Law — HB 2343 — is identical to that earlier legislation except that Coleman renamed it in honor of Asher Brown, a gay 13-year-old from Houston who committed suicide last year after enduring relentless bullying from his classmates and peers.

Coleman said that he renamed the legislation with the permission of Asher’s parents, Amy and David Truong. Coleman said, “The Truongs are acting with grace and courage. They are allowing a tremendous personal tragedy be a catalyst for change in state statute. We should honor them.”

Coleman said that Asher’s Law, if passed, would direct the Department of State Health Services and the Texas Education Agency to implement a program to recognize students at risk of emtoional trauma or committing suicide, intervene effectively and refer students to mental health services if necessary. The bill would require school districts to report incidents of harassment and bullying to the TEA annually and to train district employees on preventing bullying and harassment. It also addresses harassment and discrimination by school district employees toward students and other employees.

In addition, Asher’s Law gives school districts the option of transferring a bully, instead of current practice which is to transfer the student being bullied.

Coleman has filed similar bills in every legislative session since 2003. Prior to that year, he supported similar bills filed in each session by then state Rep. Harryette Ehrhardt, a Dallas Democrat.

ORIGINAL SOURCE

Anti-bullying bill passes easily in ND House

Anti-bullying bill passes easily in ND House

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — A measure that's intended to deter bullying in schools has won overwhelming approval in the North Dakota House.

The bill says each school district must adopt an anti-bullying policy by July 2012.

It instructs the state School Boards Association to develop a policy as a model for local schools.

The North Dakota Senate approved a similar bill last week that requires the state school superintendent to develop the model rules.

Both public and non-public schools must adopt anti-bullying policies. They must include instructions for reporting, investigating and punishing cases of bullying. School districts would also need to offer bullying prevention programs.

Schools wouldn't be liable for bullying that occurs if they adopt proper bullying policies.

The House approved the measure, 76-18, on Tuesday. It now goes to the Senate.

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California Antibullying Bill in the Works

By Advocate.com Editors

California state assemblyman Tom Ammiano expects to introduce a tough antibullying bill, one on par with legislation recently passed in New Jersey that youth advocates call the strongest of its kind.

KTNV in San Francisco reports that Ammiano may introduce a bill near-identical to New Jersey's within a few weeks in collaboration with Equality California, the state's largest LGBT rights organization.

New Jersey's antibullying bill, which was signed into law last week by Republican governor Chris Christie and received bipartisan support from state lawmakers, mandates that schools have a specific point person to run antibullying programs. The law requires, among other provisions, that educators undergo training on the issue.

Read the full article here. 

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