NAMI Michigan

          Bullying is a widespread problem that many children face during their school years. Typically bullying is defined as physical or verbal aggression by one or more powerful aggressors against someone who isn’t as powerful.  The acts of aggression disrupt a student’s ability to learn or participate in school-related activities.   According to the American Psychological Association, 40%-80% of school-age children have experienced bullying, as defined above, at some point during their school careers.  The high prevalence of bullying in school systems makes it imperative that schools have anti-bullying policies to protect its students.  Unfortunately, Michigan is one of the last 5 states that do not have an anti-bullying law.  Instead, Michigan has an anti-bullying policy model developed by the State Board of Education in 2006 that school districts can choose to adopt if they please.  It is not clear, however, how many school districts, if any, have actually adopted this model or created anti-bullying policies of their own.  The lack of an anti-bullying law leaves students exposed to the effects of being bullied, which include physical injuries, anxiety, depression, anger, insecurities, lack of trust, poor academic performance, and suicide.  In the past decade, 10 suicides have occurred in Michigan that can be directly related to bullying. 

            Currently, six bills have been introduced in the Michigan House of Representatives and Senate that deal with bullying in the public school system.  These bills are Senate Bills 45, 137 and 147, and House Bills 4163, 4173, and 4391. Only SB137 has made it as far as the Senate floor.  The reason many of these bills, including SB137 and those introduced in the past, haven’t garnered enough support to be enacted is because legislatures have been debating on whether or not to include language in the bills that enumerate protected characteristics.  The State Board's model policy includes a list of characteristics that lead to biases.  Many feel that this list should be included in the anti-bullying bills: race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression; a mental, physical, or sensory disability or impairment; any other distinguishing characteristic.  By listing specific characteristics for which bullies attack students, some believe that educators can provide better protection for their students because their attention is directed towards the specific bias.  Others fear that by enumerating specific characteristics students who do not fall within a specific category will be excluded from the protection the bill offers.  Another concern that has been voiced is that passing anti-bullying laws will result in a rise in lawsuits.  This claim, though, has not been proven true in the 45 other states that do have anti-bullying laws.  As the debate about anti-bullying laws carries on, Michigan continues to leave its students unprotected to tormentors. 

            Many believe that Senate Bill 137 would require school districts to adopt and implement a policy prohibiting bullying or harassment at school.  The definition of “at school” includes in a classroom, on school premises, on a school bus or other school-related vehicle, or at a school sponsored activity/event, even if the activity/event is not on school premises. “At school” also would include “telecommunications access device or telecommunication service provider that occurs off school premises if the telecommunication access device or the telecommunication service provider is owned by or under the control of the school district or public academy.” The bill does not include language that would require schools to evaluate and report the success of the anti-bullying policy, how does it detail the repercussions for a school that failed to create an anti-bullying policy.  It does state that school boards or school board directors would have to hold at least one public meeting so that the community could comment on the proposed policy that would be adopted. 

            NAMI Michigan will keep you informed of the progress of the bills through the legislature.  Please let the State Office know if you have any concerns or suggestions about this legislation.   

 

Brittany Lewis

Public Policy Intern

NAMI Michigan

 

            "Matt Epling.Com." 2006. Web. <http://www.freewebs.com/mattepling/>.

            Michigan Senate. Judiciary. Anti-Bullying Policy Mandate. By Kathryn Summers. 96th Legislature. Rept. Print.

            Michigan Senate. Matt's Safe School Law, SB137, 96th Cong. (2011). Print.

            www.legislature.mi.gov