Anti-bullying bill stalls; Nonini opposes measure

BOISE(AP) — A bill intended to toughen up on bullies in Idaho public schools has hit a roadblock in the House, making passage of the measure unlikely in the final days of the 2012 Legislature.

Earlier this month, the Senate approved legislation that would give school districts a more active role in policing students who harass and threaten their classmates.

But the bill has yet to get a hearing in the House Education Committee.

House Democrats tried a parliamentary procedure Tuesday that would have yanked the bill from that committee. But the maneuver was voted down by the House 48-21.

Republican Rep. Bob Nonini, the chairman of the education committee, argued against the procedure. He said there is no need for lawmakers to impose additional anti-bullying policies on schools.