About the Issue
The Safe Schools Improvement Act (H.R. 1648/S.506), in both the House and Senate, for the first time establishes a federal definition of bullying and protects students, including students with disabilities. NCLD urges you to contact your Representative and Senator to support this important legislation.The Safe Schools Improvement Act (SSIA) introduced as H.R. 1648 by Rep. Sanchez (D-CA) and S.506 introduced by Senator Casey (D-PA) establishes a federal definition of bullying to protect all students nationwide. The SSIA would call on schools and districts that receive federal funds to adopt anti-bullying policies and codes of conduct that specifically prohibit bullying or harassment on the basis of disability, race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation and perceived or actual gender identity. The bill would also create stricter and more uniform policies for dealing with and preventing all forms of bullying, not just ones tied to a specific characteristic. Crucially, the Act would also mandate that states catalog and report data on bullying and harassment to the Department of Education.
Please join NCLD in cosponsoring these bills.
