Law Enforcement Officials Ask For Changes To Anti-Bullying Law

Law enforcement officials are asking a special commission examining the state's new anti-bullying law to make changes and clarifications.

Speakers told the anti-bullying commission there needs to be a bullying intervention program so that bullies who are on probation can be taught how to change their behavior.

Former Northwest District Attorney Elizabeth Scheibel, who prosecuted six students for their alleged bullying of Phoebe Prince, said the law should require schools report all bullying, not just incidents that may rise to a criminal charge. And if they don’t, there should be repercussions.

"Presently, there is no sanction for the failure of a school administrator to refer an incident of bullying to law enforcement," Scheibel said.

Others suggested schools should also be required to report incidents of bullying to the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.