Nadler Introduces Bill to Combat School Bullying

NEW YORK, N.Y. – Congressman Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) yesterday introduced H.R. 3787, the Antibullying Campaign Act of 2005, which would protect schoolchildren from bullying.  The legislation would create a matching grant program under the Department of Education to assist states in establishing and conducting antiharrassment programs.  Nadler’s bill is the only legislation before Congress that protects children from bullying based on both sexual orientation and gender identity.  The bill would also mandate a broad study of the bullying problem that plagues America’s schools.

“The promise of free public schooling is part of what built America into a great country, and education is still the great equalizer,” Congressman Nadler said.  “But we can hardly expect our children to realize their full potential when they face threats from bullies – or even when they feel pressure to conform in order to shield themselves from ridicule or violence.  This legislation would provide states with the resources they need to protect our students.”

The Antibullying Campaign Act of 2005 would:

·         Authorize a $300 million matching grant program over the next four years, under which the federal government would provide grants to states to establish or carry out anti-harassment programs in either elementary or secondary schools. 

·         Require states to protect all students against bullying, regardless of race, creed, religion, disability, gender, sexual orientation, or gender identity, in order to be eligible to receive the matching funds.

·         Require the Secretary of Education to conduct a four-year study concerning harassment in our public schools and report the findings to Congress annually. 

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