Anti-bullying bill passes Senate, 32-3

Legislation to bolster Idaho’s anti-bullying laws passed the Senate on Tuesday on a 32-3 vote, the AP reports. SB 11105a would require school districts to provide training in bullying prevention for employees; districts would also adopt a series of consequences for students caught bullying, intimidating or harassing others and that list of punishments would include suspension and expulsion. Under a previous version of the legislation, repeat offenders could have been charged with a misdemeanor for a third violation. The bill was changed amid lawmaker concerns that a student could be criminally charged by the time they reach middle school. The bipartisan measure is moving through the 2011 Idaho Legislature in the wake of a high-profile hazing case in eastern Idaho.