Minnesota AG Lori Swanson starting press conference on anti-bullying legislation.
AG Swanson: 13 pct of all MN children in grades 6,9, 12 bullied regularly once a week or more, about 100,000 kids.
Swanson: We want to open the windows and let the air in (re: bullying reporting)... we're trying to foster an environment where bullying would be reported and taken seriously.
Swanson's office: Proposed changes would
-- Prohibit students from engaging in bullying or in reprisal or retaliation against bullying victims or those who report bullying;
-- Establish procedures for immediate reporting of alleged acts of bullying or bullying‑related retaliation;
-- Establish procedures for schools to follow in investigating reports of alleged bullying or retaliation;
-- Establish disciplinary measures applicable to those who engage in bullying or bullying‑related retaliation, including graduated consequences for such behavior;
-- Require law enforcement to be notified if an investigation results in a reasonable suspicion that a crime may have occurred;
-- Establish strategies to protect bullying victims; and
-- Establish bullying prevention programs for all K-12 students.
Swanson: MN should be known for being a national leader on bullying policy, not for bullying problems. Everybody knows we have a problem... Minnesota can be an A+ state, not a C- state when it comes to how our kids are treated.
Swanson: Some kids bullied and harassed because families are going through foreclosure.
Swanson doesn't have a dollar figure for the costs to districts to implement. Says cost to adopt will be "a lot cheaper" than the cost to children, taxpayers of not addressing bullying.
Student William Voigt, 10, at press conference: Recalls a kid at his school being bullied physically and verbally over a speech impediment. Says other kids want to help but are scared bullies will pick on them, other kids just don't care...
Press conference on anti-bullying legislation is over.