HELENA, Mont. (AP) — Montana legislators on Wednesday considered whether to join every other state in the nation in putting anti-bullying policy into law.
A bill introduced by Rep. Kimberly Dudik, a Missoula Democrat, in the Montana House Education Committee would define bullying, prohibit it in public schools and require public school districts to adopt their own policies addressing the issue.
Pilar Petroski, a seventh-grader from Helena, and her father, Andrew, spoke in favor of the bill, with the 12-year-old saying she’s frustrated with school officials who turn the other way when she tells them about death threats she’s received along with harassment in person and online.
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He acted instead as an informational witness and told the committee that anti-bullying legislation superseding the existing rule was unnecessary and may inhibit schools boards from making their own decisions.
Rep. Jeff Essmann, a Billings Republican, questioned whether the Montana legislature can force a cultural change on schools. Dudik said she believes the legislature can and should spawn change to deter bullying in Montana schools by sending a message with her bill.
The committee did not take action on the measure, which faces several legislative hurdles before it could become law. Dudik said she’s not sure whether it has enough support to pass.
