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May 28, 2008

State Senate backs bill targeting cyber-bullying

PROVIDENCE -- The state Senate today approved a bill targeting cyber-bullying -- legislation expanding student discipline codes to cover electronic communications.

Such communications would include any verbal, textual or graphic communication by using any electronic device, such as a computer, telephone, cell phone, text-messaging device and/or personal data assistance device.

Under the bill sponsored by Sen. John J. Tassoni Jr., D-Smithfield, repeated violations threatening "physical or emotional well-being of any student" would be grounds for filing a petition for a Family Court determination that the offending student is wayward and/or delinquent, according to a news release.

The bill goes next to the House of Representatives for consideration. Similar legislation, sponsored by Rep. Joseph M. McNamara, D-Warwick, has already cleared the House.

-- projo.com staff writer Michael P. McKinney

Posted by Mike McKinney  at 5:01 PM | Permalink

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