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LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Michigan school districts would have to include cyberbullying in their anti-bullying policies and report bullying data to the state under legislation going to Gov. Rick Snyder.
The House voted 64-45 to approve the requirements early Friday.
The bill is designed to address gaps in a 2011 law that requires K-12 districts and charter schools to have anti-bullying policies.
Supporters of the legislation say bullying done through social media, texting and instant messaging is probably more prevalent now than physical bullying. Opponents of the bill question how schools and the state are supposed to stop cyberbullying often done outside school grounds.
Schools already have to report bullying incidents to their local boards of education. They would be required to send the information to the Michigan Department of Education under the bill.
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