An anti-bullying bill nine years in the making was approved by the Senate, sending it to Governor David Paterson's desk for signature, the Times Union reports:
"The bill passed 58-3, with three Republican senators voting against it: John DeFrancisco, George Maziarz and Dale Volker. Republicans attempted to amend the bill to include 'cyber-bullying' that might take place off of school grounds, which amendment sponsor Sen. Stephen Saland called a 'glaring omission' from the legislation…The bill would apply to events on school grounds and at school functions. It only applies to public schools. It prohibits harassment, 'the creation of a hostile environment by conduct, verbal threats, intimidation or abuse that has or would unreasonably interfere with educational performance, opportunities, benefits, or physical or emotional well being, or cause fear for physical safety' an prohibits discrimination based ond 'actual or perceived race, color, weight, national origin, ethnic group, religion, religious practice, disability, sexual orientation, gender or sex.'"
Said the bill's sponsor, Senator Tom Duane (pictured): “It's a very important bill for many many reasons to many many people, and it's a very important bill for, I hope not too many generations, but certainly at least for a generation or two to come. A students ability to excel in school is severely hampered by taunting, or intimidation or bullying…If I hadn't been afraid in schools, I would have done better in school."
