School Bullying Bill to Return for 2007

This week, news outlets have reported on the story of Rachael Neblett, a junior at Bullitt East High School. A victim of persistent bullying, harassment, and threats of violence, last October Rachael took her own life.

Her parents are now calling on Kentucky's legislature to prevent such tragedies by passing HB 64, the School Bullying Bill (Download a Fact Sheet). The bill has a strong chance to move forward in 2007, with bipartisan support in the House and signs of a softening Senate.

Last year the School Bullying Bill gained the support of over 30 organizations, including religious, educational, law enforcement, and fairness leaders. It picked up more than 30 co-sponsors before it passed the House unanimously. The bill never received a hearing in the Senate.

The 2007 version has already moved through the House Education Committee and could go to the floor for a vote any day.

Louisville Sen. Tim Shaughnessy said he believes the bill would also pass the Senate, but Republican leadership has refused to bring it to a vote. From Louisville's WAVE-3:

Senator Shaughnessy says Senate leadership believes the anti-harassment policy would be used as part of the gay rights agenda.

We called majority floor leader Dan Kelly to hear more about that -- but that call was not returned.

However, Senate President David Williams (R-Burkesville) told the Louisville Courier-Journal on February 4 that he would be willing to entertain the proposal. He has offered no such public support in the past.

Rep. Mike Cherry (D-Princeton) said that passing the bill would send a strong, unified message that bullying is not tolerated in Kentucky schools.

The Kentucky Fairness Alliance continues to support the bullying bill, even though it does not explicitly prohibit harassment based on sexual orientation or gender identity.

According to GLSEN's 2005 National School Climate Survey, 90% of LGBT students were harassed or assaulted, and they were 3 times as likely as non-LGBT students to say they do not feel safe at their school. LGBT youth are extremely vulnerable to bullying and harassment. Too often, school officials themselves fear repercussions for speaking out against anti-LGBT bullying.

The School Bullying Bill helps to address these problems by directing school officials to apply the rules "without partiality or discrimination."

As Rep. Cherry told the Courier-Journal, "It's an old cliché, but it's still very true: If we can help one student, one school, one district somewhere prevent some bullying, it will be well worth it."