HUDSON COUNTY — Yesterday, local Congressman Albio Sires (D-13th Dist.) cosponsored legislation that would require colleges and universities to implement anti-harassment policies, which would include the also address the issue of cyber bullying.
H.R. 6425, otherwise known as the Tyler Clementi Higher Education Anti-Harassment Act, was introduced by U.S. Senator Frank R. Lautenberg and Representative Rush Holt in memory of the Rutgers freshman who took his own life this past September, raising the issue of student harassment on a state and national level.
Under this legislation, all colleges and universities receiving federal student aid would be required to implement a policy prohibiting harassment of students and a follow-up procedure should harassment occur. Students would also receive information about mental health services available to victims and perpetrators of bullying.
A new grant program would also be established by the U.S. Department of Education to assist these higher-level institutions with establishing the required programs.
“All students deserve the opportunity to learn in an environment free from harassment,” said Sires. “This legislation will establish guidelines to prevent and counter bullying, and is very much needed in our school systems.”