A bill that would strengthen current anti-bullying protections in Illinois has passed out the Illinois General Assembly, according to Shannon Sullivan, executive director of the LGBT youth organization Illinois Safe Schools Alliance.
Bill HB 5290, introduced by lesbian state Rep. Kelly Cassidy, is headed to the Illinois Senate.
The bill is not directly related to LGBT issues. Rather, it adds to the current code to create a model bullying prevention policies for schools for 2013. The current school code does contain LGBT anti-bullying protections.
"To get straight to the heart of bullying in our schools, it will take a comprehensive approach among parents and educators," Cassidy said in a statement. "By giving school district the tools to combat bullying and working with the community to offer youth programming and professional development for staff, we can help ensure a safe and healthy learning environment for children and schools."
The bill's advancement, however, did not come without setbacks said Sarah Schriber, a spokesperson for Prevent School Violence Illinois, a coalition of local groups. ( Scriber is also policy director at the alliance. )
One of the bill's two objectives was axed just before going to vote, Schriber said.
In its initial drafts, HB 5290 added protected classes to the current code. Those were appearance, homelessness, socioeconomic status, academic status, pregnancy and parenting status. However, just 24 hours before going to vote, those categories were stripped.
"I was disappointed that that was removed," Schriber said.
The current code is intended to protect all students, but certain marginalized groups, such as LGBT students, are named specifically to show those groups they are protected and encourage enforcement.
The measure, however, does contain policy intended to make sure schools are active in enforcing the policy. It contains procedures for preventing, investigating and following-up on complaints.
Perhaps most significantly, it places an emphasis on "restorative" measures rather than "punitive" discipline. Rather than punishing students who bully, the amendment mandates education, emotional support, counseling and other community-based solutions intended to address root causes of bullying.
Punitive enforcement has largely failed, said Schriber. In addition, LGBT students and students of color are often disproportionately punished, two groups the bullying code seeks to protect.
"It doesn't teach students to behave better and it doesn't make our schools safer," Schriber said.
Windy City Times will update as details become available.
The current code is intended to protect all students, but certain marginalized groups, such as LGBT students, are named specifically to show those groups they are protected and encourage enforcement.
The bill, however, does contain policy intended to make sure schools are active in enforcing the policy. It contains procedures for preventing, investigating and following-up on complaints.
Perhaps most significantly, it places an emphasis on "restorative" measures rather than "punitive" discipline. Rather than punishing students who bully, the amendment mandates education, emotional support, counseling and other community-based solutions intended to address root causes of bullying.
Punitive enforcement has largely failed, said Shriber. In addition, LGBT students and students of color are often disproportionately punished, two groups the bullying code seeks to protect.
"It doesn't teach students to behave better and it doesn't make our schools safer," Schriber said.
Windy City Times will update as details become available.
