Bill Prohibiting Bullying in Schools Passes Out of Indiana House

Tuesday, February 28, 2023 at 9:56 AM

The legislation is one step closer to becoming law.

Shutterstock photo.

INDIANAPOLIS – A bill that would prohibit bullying in Indiana schools has passed out of the Indiana House of Representatives.

It was nearly unanimous as House Representatives voted 92-1 this week in favor of House Bill 1483.

The bill, authored by Vernon Smith (D-Gary), would require schools to report acts of bullying to the parents of both the victim and the perpetrator within a week of the incident being reported.

In severe cases, the bill also requires either the victim to choose to move to another school in their district, or the perpetrator to be removed from the school.

“Bullying is an epidemic in our schools and has been for years,” Smith said in a statement following the vote. “Research tells us that bullying is one of the leading causes of suicide in teenagers and young adults, and too often, children who are being bullied are told to 'tough it out' and not given the help they need and deserve. As adults, we have a responsibility to teach our children not just how to succeed academically and professionally, but how to treat one another as they move through the world.”

The bill now moves to the Senate for further consideration.