Published on 08/13/2008
After a two-year debate, the State of California has passed Assembly Bill 86, placing real measures to go up against this new threat of cyber bullying. To get a better idea of what this bill is all about, here's an excerpt below.
"It is the intent of the Legislature... to develop and implement interagency strategies, in-service training programs, and activities that will improve school attendance and reduce school crime and violence, including vandalism... hate crimes, bullying, including acts bullying committed personally or by means of an electronic act."
In addition, the bill's power also spills over to "...authorize school officials to suspend or recommend for expulsion pupils who engage in bullying, including but not limited to, bullying by means of an electronic act, as defined." As for electronic act, that is defined as "the transmission of a communication, including, but not limited to, a message, text, sound, or image by means of an electronic device, including, but not limited to, a telephone, wireless telephone or other wireless communication device, computer, or pager." Everyone on their best behavior now!