According to the U.S. Department of Education, Minnesota receives the lowest marks for the lack of scope and definition in its state anti-bullying legislation.
Minnesota sets the record for the SHORTEST anti-bullying law in the nation--at 37 words. Here is the text:
121A.0695 SCHOOL BOARD POLICY; PROHIBITING INTIMIDATION AND BULLYING.
Each school board shall adopt a written policy prohibiting intimidation and bullying of any student. The policy shall address intimidation and bullying in all forms, including, but not limited to, electronic forms and forms involving Internet use.
History: 1Sp2005 c 5 art 2 s 28; 2007 c 53 s 1
This policy does not define bullying, nor does it state that the bullying policy must address protected classes defined by the Minnesota Human Rights Act.
To help address the issue, Governor Dayton has created the Task Force on the Prevention of School Bullying. Members of the task force and their affiliations include:
- Brenda Cassellius, Commissioner, Minnesota Department of Education
- Kevin Lindsey, Commissioner, Minnesota Department of Human Rights
- Willie Bridges, Senior Planning Manager, Hennepin County Attorney’s Office
- Vangie Castro, Youth Education Program Manager, Rochester Public Schools
- Phil Duran, Legal Director, OutFront Minnesota
- Alana Friedman, Teacher
- Julie Hertzog, Director, PACER National Bullying Prevention Center
- Lyn Mitchell, Co-Founder, AMAZE
- Jacob Reitan, Founder, Equality Ride
- Walter Roberts, Councilor, Minnesota State University, Mankato
- Dr. Thomas Scott, Pediatrician
- Senator Scott Dibble
- Representative Jim Davnie
- Two Republican legislators have been invited and are yet to be announced by leadership
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