The School Safety and Bullying Prevention Act was signed into law on May 20, 2013. Staff from PCCT, members of the Children’s Consortium of Tulsa and Anti-Bullying Collaboration partners attended a ceremonial signing on June 10th at the Oklahoma Capitol with Governor Fallin. The law enacts annual administrator and staff training regarding bullying prevention in Oklahoma schools; requires each site principal or designee to investigate whether or not bullying has occurred; and enables schools to provide for consequences, remedial actions, and counseling.
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Bullying is no longer a subjective term in Oklahoma. A bill signed into law by Gov. Mary Fallin gives a definition and mandates to the state Department of Education to do something about it. “Bullying is not joking between two peers of equal power,” said Steve Hahn, program manager at the Parent Child Center of Tulsa, who has expertise in bullying. “Bullying involves an imbalance of power. It is done to harass, intimidate or intentionally harm. It has physical, emotional and social repercussions. It’s not accidental. It’s a pattern.” House Bill 1661, which amends the School Safety and Bullying Prevention Act, will become effective Nov. 1. Read the full story
