4 Troubled Teens Blog

Suicide Inspires New Bullying, Harassment Law in Florida

Members of the public were encouraged to voice their opinions at a recent public meeting about new bullying legislation in Florida. Named the Jeffrey Johnston Stand Up for All Students Act, the policy was passed earlier this year by the Florida legislature.
"Creator of the legislation, Cape Coral mother and teacher Debbie Johnston, spent the last three years lobbying for the act. She first proposed it after her son, Jeffery, committed suicide in 2005 following years of bullying and ridicule at the hands of other students."
Many Florida school districts already have anti-bullying policies, but this new act would require those policies to be updated. One of the changes enables witnesses to report incidents of bullying. The Act also includes policies for dealing with cyberbullying - a type of harassment that takes place online, through social networking sites and instant messaging services. Source: Cape Coral Daily Breeze

Labels: bullying, suicide, harassment

Posted By: Aspen Education Group