Kootenai County Task Force supports Idaho anti-bullying bill

COEUR d'ALENE - The Kootenai County Task Force on Human Relations' Board of Directors announced its support of Idaho SB 1358, known as the anti-bullying bill to protect Idaho's school children.

Although it is already against Idaho law to bully another student in Idaho schools, the bill both expands and covers areas presently not addressed in the current legislation.

"We witness tragedy after tragedy across America when a young person commits suicide often from being bullied for weeks and months and no one intervenes," said KCTFHR president Christie Wood. "As a police officer, I often see reports of this growing tragedy."

Senate Bill 1358 requires every school district to have its own anti- bullying policy, provides for teacher training, makes sure teachers and school staff know that they are expected to intervene and keep kids safe when they see bullying occur, and very importantly the bill sets penalties for cyberbullying.