Sunday Sep 05

Anti-Bullying Bill Passes in Legislature

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Written by Press Release Friday, 23 April 2010 14:32

(1 vote, average 5.00 out of 5)

Statewide Gay Rights Group Announces
Passage of Anti-Bullying Bill in Legislature

 

CHICAGO - Equality Illinois, the state’s largest organization advocating for full equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people, announced passage of SB3266, anti-bullying bill in the House of Representatives.

Illinois House of Representatives just voted by 108-0 to pass SB3266, which will require schools to fight bullying in schools by adopting anti-bullying policies, creating resistance education and training for students, and other reasonable measures.  Illinois State Senate passed the bill earlier this month.

“At long last, schools across the State will be uniformly required to take steps to protect vulnerable kids from bullying and violence,” – said Bernard Cherkasov, CEO of Equality Illinois.  “Students who are perceived to be lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender are particularly vulnerable to bullying.  And the attempted suicide rate among LGBT students, which is as much as three times higher than the general average, presents alarming evidence for just how urgently we need this law.”
“This was a no-nonsense bill, and I am so glad that it sailed quickly through both chambers of the legislature,” Cherkasov continued.
Significantly, this bill covers bullying specifically targeted at students because of their sexual orientation or gender identity, among other categories.
The bill will now go to Governor Pat Quinn for signing.
Equality Illinois is proud to have been one of the earliest advocates for this significant legislation and to have worked with dozens of our partners, especially Illinois Safe Schools Alliance and Illinois State Board of Education, on this bill.
Illinois House of Representatives just voted by 108-0 to pass SB3266, which will require schools to fight bullying in schools by adopting anti-bullying policies, creating resistance education and training for students, and other reasonable measures.  Illinois State Senate passed the bill earlier this month.

“At long last, schools across the State will be uniformly required to take steps to protect vulnerable kids from bullying and violence,” – said Bernard Cherkasov, CEO of Equality Illinois.  “Students who are perceived to be lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender are particularly vulnerable to bullying.  And the attempted suicide rate among LGBT students, which is as much as three times higher than the general average, presents alarming evidence for just how urgently we need this law.” 

“This was a no-nonsense bill, and I am so glad that it sailed quickly through both chambers of the legislature,” Cherkasov continued.

Significantly, this bill covers bullying specifically targeted at students because of their sexual orientation or gender identity, among other categories.

The bill will now go to Governor Pat Quinn for signing.

Equality Illinois is proud to have been one of the earliest advocates for this significant legislation and to have worked with dozens of our partners, especially Illinois Safe Schools Alliance and Illinois State Board of Education, on this bill.

 

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