Many schools in the state already have policies for dealing with bullies, but those rules often vary from district to district. State Senator Neal Kedzie (R-Elkhorn) is co-sponsoring a bill that allows a statewide approach. It requires the Department of Public Instruction to create a model policy. Districts across the state would then be required to adopt that policy, integrate it into already existing guidelines for dealing with bullies, or they'd have to create their own standards.
Kedzie says bill is intended to end the confusion that often comes from the wide range of standards currently in use. He says bully problems are often passed along at schools, because nobody is clear on how to deal with them. He says a statewide approach would help end those problems.
State Senator Spencer Coggs (D-Milwaukee), who is also a co-sponsor, says schools know bullying is taking place. He's hoping the bill will make it clearer just how widespread the behavior actually is.
The bill is currently being considered by a Senate Committee. Similar legislation was passed in the state Senate last session, but was not acted on in the Assembly.