Pennsylvania lawmaker Frank Burns proposes fining parents $500 for child's bullying
HARRISBURG, Pa. -- A Pennsylvania lawmaker has introduced legislation that could have parents footing the bill if their child bullies another kid at school. State Rep. Frank Burns' bill gives parents three strikes.
The first time a child bullies someone, the school is required to inform his or her parents how the school handled the situation. Parents would have to take a class on bullying and attend a bullying resolution conference the second time. The third time, parents would receive a court citation and pay up to a $500 fine.
In a statement issued Monday, the Democrat says bullying can lead to physical assaults and suicide.
"Bullying is underreported and often unaddressed in any meaningful way," Burns said in a statement on his website. "When it's not addressed, bullying can escalate quickly from taunts and hurtful online posts to physical assaults and—in worst cases—suicide. Holding students, parents and officials at all levels accountable is the only way to put an end to this scourge."