Linda Sánchez Applauds Passage of Cyberbullying Legislation (April 18, 2012)

Washington, DC –Congresswoman Linda T. Sánchez(CA-39) today praised the California Assembly for passing legislation whichwould give schools more tools to crack down on online bullying bystudents. Earlier this week, the Assembly passed AB1732 which wouldprovide schools with more authority to punish students who bully theirclassmates using social networking sites.

"Our children are so wired into social networks todaythat they often type more messages than they speak each day," saidCongresswoman Sánchez. "I applaud the Assembly for voting to close theloopholes in California's cyberbullying law. Bullying doesn't just take placein the schoolyard anymore. It's happening in the virtual world and our childrencan now be bullied any hour of the day or night—even in their own homes. This legislation is an important step in making California schools safer."

AB1732 would give schools the ability to suspend or expelstudents who engage in cyberbullying. The bill passed the Assembly 58-0 and thebill now moves to the California Senate.

Background

In 2008 and 2009, Congresswoman Sánchez introduced the"Megan Meier Cyberbullying Prevention Act," which makes cyberbullying a federalcrime. This legislation was named after a Missouri teenager, whocommitted suicide after being cyberbullied through a social networking website.

In 2011, Congresswoman Sánchez introduced the Safe SchoolsImprovement Act (H.R. 1648) which would require schools and school districts toban bullying and harassment. Congresswoman Sánchez introduced The Safe SchoolsImprovement Act in the previous two sessions of Congress.

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