Passing this particular bill in the Idaho Legislature would be a good way for Republican lawmakers to get in touch with their inner humanity.
It should be easy for them, because there is little cost associated with the bill, and it could very well save a child's life - hard to say "no."
Now, who wouldn't want to sign on to a bill like that?
The measure in question is Senate Bill 1220, which will put a few more teeth into the anti-bullying laws already in place.
Existing statutes relating to intimidation, harassment or bullying of a student are vague about penalties for the perpetrators. SB 1220 adds mandatory language and makes it an infraction of state law to bully a fellow student.
Third- and fourth-graders at Moscow's Palouse Prairie School of Expeditionary Learning felt strongly enough about the issue of bullying that they raised about $4,000 and went to Boise to lobby for the bill.
Earlier this month, the students met with Reps. Shirley Ringo and Tom Trail, and Sen. Dan Schmidt, all of Moscow, to express their concern for bullied classmates and others throughout the state.
"We told them that it's about time bullying was stopped," said student Sam Schwandt. "It's gotten really bad, and we don't want it to get worse."
Neither do we.
The effects of bullying aren't pretty. Victims often feel helpless and withdrawn, some even become bullies. In the worst cases, victims take their own lives as a last resort to end the "pain."
Bullies will continue to damage their victims physically and emotionally as long as they are allowed. Often they have been victims of bullying themselves - in many cases in their home life.
Adding mandatory penalties - and enforcing them - will help to break the bullying cycle. The bill also calls for anti-bullying information to be distributed to all school employees, parents and students.
The way we see it, there's no need for partisan debate on this issue. And we would be interested in talking to any legislator who believes it isn't a good idea to stop bullying.
- Murf Raquet, for the editorial board
