Sánchez, Takano introduce anti-bullying bill

WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Linda T. Sánchez and Congressman Mark Takano (both D-Calif.) today introduced the Safe Schools Improvement Act, an anti-bullying bill that would require schools to adopt codes of conduct specifically prohibiting bullying and harassment on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, sex characteristics and religion. 

Senator Tim Kaine (D-Va.) plans to introduce similar legislation in the Senate. 

“Bullying is a serious issue that threatens our children’s safety and well-being,” said Congresswoman Sánchez. “When students see adults, including our country’s leaders, bullying marginalized communities, they think it’s acceptable. Sadly, we’re too often reminded of the devastating consequences of allowing it to spread. Our students deserve to learn in an environment where respect and kindness are the norm, not fear and intimidation.” 

“If we want our students to succeed, their classrooms must be free from discrimination,” said Congressman Takano. “As a former high school teacher and former advisor of a Gay Straight Alliance, I understand just how painful and harmful bullying and harassment can be to students, particularly LGBTQ+ students. No child should be forced to endure this type of hate. That’s why I am proud to help introduce this legislation to ensure that schools can take a firm step towards regaining the trust of students, parents, and the community they serve.” 

The Safe Schools Improvement Act is endorsed by 70 organizations including GLSEN, the Human Rights Campaign, the National Parent Teacher Association, the National Association of Secondary School Principals, the American Federation of Teachers and the National Education Association 

“With over 10 million students facing bullying in K-12 schools, it is time for Congress to act and ensure that every student can learn in an environment that is free from harassment and violence. LGBTQ+ youth, particularly those who are transgender, experience bullying at disproportionate rates, and these patterns of harassment impact students’ academic aspirations, mental health, and sense of belonging in the broader community,” said Melanie Willingham-Jaggers, executive director of GLSEN. “We thank the sponsors for their ongoing attention to this legislation, as the Safe Schools Improvement Act will shore up bullying prevention policies and ensure more schools have access to evidence-based interventions that will lead to safer school environments for all.” 

“Every student deserves to be safe and free from bullying in school, but for too many LGBTQ+ students, that is simply not the case,” said David Stacy, vice president of government affairs for the Human Rights Campaign. “The majority of LGBTQ+ students report that they've experienced 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 help ensure that our children won't be targeted at school just because of who they are or how they identify. We thank the sponsors for introducing this vital legislation.” 

“Children learn best and thrive in safe and supportive environments. However, far too many students are bullied and feel unsafe in school,” said Yvonne Johnson, president of National Parent Teacher Association. “Our association applauds Representatives Sánchez and Takano for reintroducing the Safe Schools Improvement Act to require K-12 public schools to enact policies to address bullying and harassment, including bullying on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability and religion. The bill is a step in the right direction toward creating safe and supportive environments in schools for all children” 

The Safe Schools Improvement Act will: 

• Require states to direct their local education agencies (LEAs) to establish policies that prohibit bullying on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, sex characteristics and religion in K-12 schools.
   
• Require states that receive federal funds under the Elementary and Secondary School Education Act to ensure that LEAs adopt evidence-based practices to prevent, and effectively respond to, bullying and harassment.
   
• Provide information to students, parents and educational professionals about prohibited bullying and harassment, as well as educate them about complaints and procedures. 

In addition to Representatives Sánchez and Takano, the Safe Schools Improvement Act is cosponsored by Representatives Don Beyer (D-Va.), Frank Mrvan (D-Ind.), Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-N.J.), Gwen Moore (D-Wisc.), Sylvia Garcia (D-Texas), Suzan DelBene (D-Wash.), Scott Peters (D-Calif.), Mary Scanlon (D-Pa.), Susie Lee (D-Nev.), Danny Davis (D-Ill.), Stephen Lynch (D-Mass.), Jill Tokuda (D-Hawaii), Terri Sewell (D-Ala.), Ritchie Torres (D-N.Y.), Jim Costa (D-Calif.), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.), Sean Casten (D-Ill.), Doris Matsui (D-Calif.), Delia Ramirez (D-Ill.), Adriano Espaillat (D-N.Y.), Yvette Clarke (D-N.Y.), Mark Pocan (D-Wisc.), Lucy McBath (D-Ga.), Brendan Boyle (D-Pa.), Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.), Greg Casar (D-Texas), Juan Vargas (D-Calif.), Seth Moulton (D-Mass.), Seth Magaziner (D-R.I.), Angie Craig (D-Minn.), Chellie Pingree (D-Maine), Suzanne Bonamici (D-Ore.), Robert Garcia (D-Calif.), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.), Hank Johnson (D-Ga.), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Ill.), Julia Brownley (D-Calif.), Kevin Mullin (D-Calif.), Nanette Barragán (D-Calif.), Brad Sherman (D-Calif.), Troy Carter (D-La.), Norma Torres (D-Calif.), Judy Chu (D-Calif.), Marilyn Strickland (D-Wash.), Bill Keating (D-Mass.), Dwight Evans (D-Pa.), Sharice Davids (D-Kan.), Chuy Garcia (D-Ill.), Lizzie Fletcher (D-Texas), Diana DeGette (D-Colo.), Dina Titus (D-Nev.), Gilbert Cisneros (D-Calif.), Gabe Amo (D-R.I.), Maxwell Frost (D-Fla.), Mike Quigley (D-Ill.), Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas), Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif.), Jared Huffman (D-Calif.), Kweisi Mfume (D-Md.), Raul Grijalva (D-Ariz.), Gerry Connolly (D-Va.), Kathy Castor (D-Fla.), Laura Friedman (D-Calif.), Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.), Raul Ruiz (D-Calif.), Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-Fla.), Salud Carbajal (D-Calif.), Sara Jacobs (D-Calif.), John Garamendi (D-Calif.), Jimmy Gomez (D-Calif.) and Eric Sorensen (D-Ill.). 

Text of the bill is available HERE.

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