One of nation’s toughest bullying laws takes effect today

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New Jersey’s “Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights” takes effect today and it’s being called one of the toughest laws against bullying in the nation.

It requires officials in every public school in the state to designate an anti-bullying specialist and a safety team to review complaints, to file reports to a district anti-bullying coordinator and to investigate allegations of bullying within one school day.

Connecticut and Massachusetts also passed anti-bullying laws in time for this school year.

Some parents are applauding the new laws, but some administrators are wondering where the resources are to enforce them, and where to draw the line between on campus and off campus bullying.

Justin Patchin, associate professor of criminal justice at the University of Wisconsin Eau-Claire says the new laws are tough on bullies, but also “tough on school administrators and educators because of all it asks them to do without giving them any additional resources.”

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