Anti-bully law expected for North Carolina schools
By Lizz Harold Staff Writer

A bill that passed in the House of Representatives this spring could be an end to classic school yard bullies if the law passes in the Senate.

The School Violence Prevention Act was first introduced to the General Assembly in May by Representative Rick Glaizer of Cumberland County.

The bill defined what classified as "bully or harassing behavior" and what charactertistics were included in the targets of such threatening or violent behavior. School employees are also covered in the protection of the policies that North Carolina schools will be required to create if the Senate votes it into law.

The law would require the school administration to have a policy against bullying before December 31, 2007.

The act has undergone revisions and was finally voted upon in it's third edition to be referred to a Senate Criminal Committee where it currently sits.

Local Representative Roger West voted on the bill in it's initial editions, but ultimately voted against it on it's seventh House committee vote.

West said that telling schools to come up with new methods of prevention without giving them the proper money to do so, is unfair.

"We are constantly trying to dictate policy without providing funds." he said, "I don't agree with the burden it puts on the schools."