Lawmakers To Propose Anti-Bullying Bill
AUSTIN (AP) - Texas legislators will consider proposals to better define bullying in schools as students face being targeted on campus and online.
The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported Tuesday that at least seven bills related to bullying have been filed for the legislative session that opens next month in Austin.
Lawmakers have until March 11 to file bills.
Current Texas law says schools must prohibit bullying in their student code of conduct. Critics say more needs to be done.
Chuck Smith with Equality Texas, which focuses on gay, lesbian and transgender issues, says his group is pursuing anti-bullying measures as a child welfare issue.
Two bills would require districts to report annually how many bullying incidents they faced, including how many were based on race, ethnicity, religion or sexual orientation.
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