Sánchez, Takano, Casey introduce bicameral anti-bullying legislation
“Bullying is harmful and destructive behavior that we must take seriously,” said Congresswoman Linda Sánchez. “Our kids should be able to wake up and go to school every day without fear of being bullied when they get there. As the mother of a highschooler myself, I know this bill will bring peace of mind to parents, teachers, school administrators and staff, and I know it will make a difference for countless students in hallways and classrooms across the country.” “Every student deserves to learn in a setting free from fear, but unfortunately, schools frequently prove to be less than safe for LGBTQI+ students, who are disproportionately targeted for bullying. This past year, we have seen school boards increasingly target LGBTQI+ students, which has resulted in more harassment from students and even leaders in their community,” said Congressman Mark Takano. “We must empower educators and schools with the resources to uplift LGBTQI+ students and stand up to discrimination within the classroom. As a former teacher and Co-Chair of the Congressional Equality Caucus, I take pride in partnering with Rep. Sánchez to reintroduce the Safe Schools Improvement Act." “Bullying and harassment at school and on social media harm the mental and emotional health of far too many students,” said Senator Bob Casey. “Every child deserves to go to school and learn without fear or intimidation. This commonsense legislation will ensure school districts across the country take proactive steps to combat bullying and keep kids safe.” “The Safe Schools Improvement Act protects every student from bullying and harassment in K-12 learning environments. LGBTQI+ youth, particularly those who are transgender, experience bullying and harassment at disproportionate rates and these patterns of victimization have serious consequences,” said Melanie Willingham-Jaggers, Executive Director of the Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network (GLSEN). “Two decades of research makes it clear that efforts to advance full inclusion and equity for LGBTQI+ students still have a long way to go. As our most vulnerable face unimaginable battles, we simply cannot afford to become complacent.” “It should go without saying that every student deserves to be safe and free from bullying in school, but for too many LGBTQ+ students, that is simply not the case,” saidDavid Stacy, Vice President of Government Affairs for the Human Rights Campaign (HRC). “The majority of LGBTQ+ students report that they've been subject to bullying at school, and only a quarter say they always feel safe in the classroom. The Safe Schools Improvement Act provides proven, time-tested mechanisms to reduce bullying and to help ensure that our children won't be targeted for abuse at school on the basis of their sexual orientation or gender identity, and we thank the sponsors for introducing this important legislation.” “PTA has long believed that every child deserves to go to school excited to learn in a safe and nurturing environment, without the fear of bullying, violence, or discrimination. However, far too many students are bullied, feel unsafe in school, and skip school due to safety concerns,” said Yvonne Johnson, President of National Parent Teacher Association (PTA). “Our association applauds Representatives Sánchez and Takano and Senator Casey for introducing the Safe Schools Improvement Act. This bill is a step in the right direction toward creating safe, supportive, and respectful environments in schools for all children, which is critical for them to thrive and learn.” Specifically, this legislation will:
In addition to Representatives Sánchez and Takano, the Safe Schools Improvement Act is cosponsored by Reps. Mark Pocan (D-WI), Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), Marilyn Strickland (D-WA), Nikema Williams (D-GA), Sylvia Garcia (D-TX), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC Delegate), Sharice Davids (D-KS), Jim Costa (D-CA), Susan Wild (D-PA), Jimmy Gomez (D-CA), Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), Dwight Evans (D-PA), Adriano Espaillat (D-NY), Terri Sewell (D-AL), Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), Delia Ramirez (D-IL), Angie Craig (D-MN), Stephen Lynch (D-MA), Henry “Hank” Johnson (D-GA), Haley Stevens (D-MI), Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), Lucy McBath (D-GA), Juan Vargas (D-CA), Scott Peters (D-CA), Andrea Salinas (D-OR), Emmanuel Cleaver (D-MO), Gwen Moore (D-WI), David Trone (D-MD), Veronica Escobar (D-TX), Jim McGovern (D-MA), Mike Quigley (D-IL), Raul Ruiz (D-CA), Shri Thanedar (D-MI), Jamaal Bowman (D-NY), Ritchie Torres (D-NY), Sean Casten (D-IL), Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-FL), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Cori Bush (D-MO), Seth Moulton (D-MA), Eric Swalwell (D-CA), Marcy Kaptur (D-OH), Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ), Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), Abigail Spanberger (D-VA), Kevin Mullin (D-CA), Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), Sanford Bishop Jr. (D-GA), Donald Davis (D-NC), Matt Cartwright (D-PA), Julia Brownley (D-CA), Joyce Beatty (D-OH), Brittany Petterson (D-CO), Jasmine Crockett (D-TX), Darren Soto (D-FL), Mike Levin (D-CA), Yadira Caraveo (D-CO), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Judy Chu (D-CA), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), Kim Schrier (D-WA), Jerry Nadler (D-NY), Salud Carbajal (D-CA), Lizzie Fletcher (D-TX), Summer Lee (D-PA), Robin Kelly (D-IL), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), Marc Veasey(D-TX), Sara Jacobs (D-CA), Mary Gay Scanlon (D-PA), Joaquin Castro (D-TX), Betty McCollum (D-MN), Bill Foster (D-IL), Raúl Grijalva (D-AZ), Nanette Barragán (D-CA), Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD), and Tony Cardenas (D-CA). Companion legislation is being led by Senator Casey and is cosponsored by Sens. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Laphonza Butler (D-CA), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Ben Cardin (D-MD), Tom Carper (D-DE), Chris Coons (D-DE), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Dick Durbin (D-IL), John Fetterman (D-PA), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Ed Markey (D-MA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Patty Murray (D-WA), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Gary Peters (D-MI), Jack Reed (D-RI), Bernie Sanders (D-VT), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Tina Smith (D-MN), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Mark Warner (D-VA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), and Ron Wyden (D-OR). The Safe Schools Improvement Act is endorsed by over 60 organizations including the HRC, the National Association of Secondary School Principals, the GLSEN, the American Federation of Teachers, the National Education Association, and the National PTA. Since coming to Congress, Congresswoman Sánchez has been recognized as a leader in working to make schools safe for all students. She is also Vice-Chair of the Congressional Equality Caucus. The Safe Schools Improvement Act was first introduced in the 110th Congress. You can read the full text of the bill here. ### |