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February 13, 2009
Bullying And Beyond
Bills introduced in the General Assembly cover a range of topics.
Rochelle Eisenberg
Staff Reporter
Several recent bills introduced in the General Assembly are intended to protect children in state public schools. Companion bills in the Senate and House of Delegates recognize the health risks tied to bullying. Senate Bill 353 and House Bill 478 call for the creation of a task force on this aspect of bullying.
The task force would review published data and studies on the effects of bullying on school children and develop recommendations to implement school bullying prevention and intervention programs.
The task force members would not be compensated. A final report would be due by December 31, 2011.
According to the 2005 Maryland Risk Youth Behavior Survey, one-third of high school students reported being harassed or bullied over the previous year. During last year’s General Assembly, several bills targeting bullying in schools were introduced, although none passed.
A hearing on Senate Bill 353 is scheduled for Feb. 18 at 1:15 p.m. before the Senate Education, Health and Enviromental Affairs Committee. A hearing on House Bill 478 has not yet been scheduled.
Weapons Ban
A bill has been introduced into the House of Delegates that prohibits the carrying or possession of firearms, knives and deadly weapons on the campuses of public institutions of higher learning and public school properties in specific situations.
House Bill 353 makes exceptions for law enforcement officers in the course of duty, individuals hired by the institution to guard its property and individuals engaged in organized shooting activities for educational purposes.
A hearing on House Bill 353 is scheduled for Feb. 27 at 1 p.m. before the House Judiciary Committee.
