Brody's Notes... Michigan House Committee Tables Anti-Bullying Bill Today; Advocates Call For Comprehensive Bill

By Michael Gregor | LANSING, MICHIGAN -- This morning, Michigan’s House Education Committee heard testimony from over 10 people, including five high school students, on House Bill 4163, which would ask schools to implement policies prohibiting bullying or harassment. Testimony given noted that committee members would strengthen the bill by requiring school districts to adopt policies that list protected categories and report incidents of bullying and harassment. The committee did not hear all of the fifteen citizens wishing to offer testimony and will reconvene after the summer break for further work on the bill.

House Bill 4163 is sponsored by Republican Philip Potvin of Cadillac. Earlier this year, the Senate Judiciary Committee passed a similar version of the bill.

Equality Michigan opposes the bill in its current form because it will not provide comprehensive protection for Michigan students. According to the group, nine out of ten gay and transgender students experience harassment at school.

The Michigan State Board of Education has developed a Model Anti-Bullying Policy that school safety advocates strongly support, but lawmakers have not used it in developing new legislation. The model policy is available online here.

Statement released by Emily Dievendorf, Director of Policy, Equality Michigan:

“We are disappointed to have to oppose House Bill 4163 today but feel that changes can be made to strengthen it so it becomes the powerful tool it is intended to be. We need to require school districts to adopt policies that list protected categories and report incidents of bullying and harassment. We have all been reluctant witnesses to the rash of suicides nationwide as a result of bullying. Michigan has no time to waste in addressing the crisis of bullying in our schools. Our kids need to be assured that their second home, their school, is conducive to learning and is accepting of who they are.

This is about making sure all young people are safe from bullying and harassment at school, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, race, ethnicity or religion. Governor Snyder recently called for the state to pass comprehensive anti-bullying legislation. He noted that ‘Studies have long shown that it leads to low self-esteem, depression, poor academic achievement, truancy and even suicide. School is not a house of learning for a bullying victim; it is a house of pain. A bullied student is not only being tormented; he or she is being denied an equal opportunity to a quality education.

The House Education Committee can still add language to make this bill effective and useful. Michigan can do this right the first time by ensuring that policy created for our kids is of the highest quality.”