Colorado House approves anti-bullying bill

The Colorado House of Representatives on Tuesday approved a bill that would reduce incidents of bullying in Colorado public schools.

If passed by the full legislature, the bill — HB-1254 — would clearly define bullying, create a state grant program to which schools can apply in order to fund bullying prevention programs, and require each school district to adopt a comprehensive, evidence-based anti-bullying policy.

The measure, which is co-sponsored by Representatives Sue Schafer and Kevin Priola, would overhaul current state anti-bullying guidelines for schools which would include sexual orientation and establish a state government organization to raise money for anti-bullying programs.

The measure requires that the state’s school districts implement programs to train teachers and create databases about bullying incidents in schools.