Minn. Lawmakers Call For Stronger Anti-Bullying Laws -- Again
ST. PAUL (WCCO) -- Minnesota lawmakers called again for stronger anti-bullying laws Monday at the Capitol, even though the measure was rejected by the Senate last week.
It has come up at the Capitol over and over again. However, even after a series of school suicides that many parents say occurred because of bullying, it has never become state law.
For both lawmakers and reporters, it was hard to listen at a press conference to a young man with fetal alcohol syndrome who says he was beaten three times a day at school for years.
The man, Hunter Sargent of Plymouth, said the beatings resulted in a speech impediment, emotional swings and hearing loss. He expressed his support for the bill.
"This bill needs to pass so these kids can be proud of who they are," said Sargent, who cried as he related the school beatings. "And be able to stand up and go to people, and have something on a regular basis so they can feel safe in a school environment."
Bill supporters also included Tammy Aaberg, who is the mother of a teenage student who killed himself after repeated bullying because he was gay.
"Please join us in supporting a violence-free learning environment for all students by saying yes to safer schools for all," said Aaberg.
Her son, Justin, was a student at Anoka High School until he killed himself in 2009.
The anti-bullying bill, sponsored by Minneapolis DFL Sen. Scott Dibble and Minneapolis DFL Rep. Jim Davnie, imposes new requirements for school districts, including training for school employees to identify and stop bullying.
The Minnesota Senate voted down an anti-bullying amendment to the Education bill after opponents said there's no need for more requirements than there are already.
Dibble said he'll continue to try to get the bill passed.
