Bill Text: NJ AJR212 | 2018-2019 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Designates October of each year as "Bullying Prevention Month."
Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Democrat 7-1)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2019-06-13 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly Education Committee [AJR212 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2018-AJR212-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman BRITNEE N. TIMBERLAKE
District 34 (Essex and Passaic)
Assemblywoman YVONNE LOPEZ
District 19 (Middlesex)
Assemblywoman VERLINA REYNOLDS-JACKSON
District 15 (Hunterdon and Mercer)
Co-Sponsored by:
Assemblywomen Carter, Tucker and Assemblyman Caputo
SYNOPSIS
Designates October of each year as "Bullying Prevention Month."
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
A Joint Resolution designating the month of October of each year as "Bullying Prevention Month" in New Jersey.
Whereas, Bullying is a type of aggressive conduct in which a person intentionally causes someone else discomfort or harm, and can be carried out in verbal and physical forms or through more indirect means such as social media; and
Whereas, More than one out of every five American students report that they have been bullied, with approximately 5 to 15 percent of students chronic victims of bullies and 7 to 12 percent of students the chronic bullies; and
Whereas, Students who are bullied are at a greater risk of sleeping difficulties, anxiety, depression, strained relationships with friends and family, and, in some cases, suicidal thoughts; and
Whereas, A bully tends to be easily angered, act aggressively towards adults, show minimal empathy towards students who they or others victimize, and needs to dominate other individuals; and
Whereas, Children need to understand certain actions and behaviors are hurtful and be reminded that there may be legal consequences as a result of bullying another person; and
Whereas, Parents and school staff are encouraged to intervene if they see bullying occur, including telling students who are bullying to stop, documenting the type of behavior they witnessed and providing a support network for bullying victims; and
Whereas, "The Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights Act" reminds schools that they are obligated to provide a safe space for students to learn and to ensure students understand bullying is not permitted in a school; and
Whereas, Incidents of cyberbullying has almost doubled between 2007 and 2016, and parental limitations or monitoring of the use of technology by children can help combat cyberbullying; and
Whereas, Younger children tend to report when they have been victims of cyberbullying and when there are issues with socialization or victimization, but are also at a higher risk of cyberbullying peers themselves; and
Whereas, The United States has recognized a "National Bullying Prevention Month" since 2010 to highlight different kinds of bullying behaviors, the impact bullying has on victims, and ways to stop or prevent bullying; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. The month of October of each year is designated as "Bullying Prevention Month" in the State of New Jersey to nurture an awareness and understanding of bullying, including what constitutes bullying, the various ways in which bullying can impact people of all ages in different environments, and the actions that can be taken to stop or prevent bullying behavior.
2. The Governor is respectfully requested to annually issue a proclamation calling upon public officials and citizens of this State to observe "Bullying Prevention Month" with appropriate activities and programs.
3. This joint resolution shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This joint resolution designates the month of October of each year as "Bullying Prevention Month" in New Jersey.
Bullying is a type of aggressive conduct in which a person intentionally causes another person discomfort or harm, and can be carried out in verbal and physical forms or through more indirect means such as social media. More than one out of every five American students report that they have been bullied. Additionally, roughly 5 to 15 percent of students are chronic victims of bullies and 7 to 12 percent of students are chronic bullies. Victims of bullies tend to be seen as different from other students, including by height or weight or if they are new to school. Bullies are typically easily angered, act aggressively towards adults, show minimal empathy towards students who they or others victimize, and needs to dominate. Parents and schools are encouraged to intervene to stop bullying if they see it, document the behavior they witnessed, and work at providing a supportive network for students who are bullied. Schools are obligated to provide safe spaces for students and send an explicit message that bullying will not be tolerated.
In addition, the amount of cyberbullying has almost doubled between 2007 and 2016. Parents are encouraged to limit or monitor the use of technology by children to help combat cyberbullying.
