Thaindian News

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS (BNO NEWS) – Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick signed on Monday an anti-bullying legislation in order to strengthen efforts in schools to keep Massachusetts students safe, the Office of the Governor announced.

The comprehensive measure, passed by the Legislature last week, employs new strategies for adults, new supports for students and better communications among state agencies to prevent, report and effectively address issues related to bullying.

“As Governor and as a parent, I feel very strongly that no child should feel threatened or unsafe in our schools. Today, with this new law, we are giving our teachers, parents and kids the tools and protections they need so that every student has a chance to reach their full potential,” Patrick said.

The new law encourages educating students about bullying including regulations on student handbooks and classroom instruction and establishes new rules and expectations for reporting incidents of bullying.

Not only will the students receive support. The new legislation will offer training for adults in schools on how to prevent, identify and handle bullying. Health and law enforcement agencies will cooperate to ensure the effectiveness of these new efforts.

Finally, the law extends beyond the classroom to include incidents that occur in the community and online bringing a new focus on the so-called cyber-bullying and extending rules and penalties to apply to such communications.