The Senate Education Committee unanimously approved legislation that would require school districts to establish and enforce anti-bullying policies. A similar bill was scheduled to go before the House Education Council.

The Senate committee rejected a hotly debated amendment that would have allowed school districts to focus protection on certain groups such as gays and racial, ethnic or religious minorities. They are considered most likely to be harassed.

Sen. Ron Klein, D-Boca Raton, said that without his amendment, school districts would have to scrap existing plans that have proven effective. Republicans rejected his amendment on a straight party-line vote, 5-3.

The House sponsor, Rep. Ellyn Bogdanoff, R-Fort Lauderdale, said she planned to offer an amendment to her bill (HB 535) that would allow anti-discrimination policies that list certain groups for protection, but districts still would have to develop separate anti-bullying policies.

Source: Sun-Sentinel