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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

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Harsher Penalties For Bullies Sought

School board members in Coeur d’Alene want Idaho lawmakers to consider adding some fresh teeth to the state’s anti-bullying law. The trustees on the school district’s five-member board are planning to ask their counterparts on school boards throughout the state to join them in seeking increased criminal liability for students who harass, intimidate or bully other students. Idaho’s criminal statute prohibiting such behavior currently provides a purely punitive penalty: an offender “may” be found guilty of an infraction. “That is the only remedy, so you pay a fine and you move on,” said Coeur d’Alene school board chair Christa Hazel. That penalty, similar to a ticket for a driving offense, comes with a $72 fine. Coeur d’Alene school trustees have drafted and submitted a resolution to be considered by members of the Idaho School Board Association in November, when they meet in Boise for their annual convention/Maureen Dolan, Coeur d'Alene Press. More here.

Question: Do you think this legislation will encounter much resistance?



D.F. Oliveria
D.F. (Dave) Oliveria joined The Spokesman-Review in 1984. He currently is a columnist and compiles the Huckleberries Online blog and writes about North Idaho in his Huckleberries column.

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