After Ten Years, Montana Finally Has Anti-Bullying Law

Ten years in the making, Montana Governor Steve Bullock on Tuesday signed the state's first anti-bullying bill into law.

The new law defines bullying as any repeated harassment, hazing or threatening in person, or in writing including electronic communication. As proposed, it would have directed public school districts to adopt certain policies addressing the issue of bullying. The final version simply prohibits students and teachers from bullying any student in a public K-12 school. It does not explicitly refer to cyberbullying, but the law would forbid it under the general bullying ban.

Parents and local authorities can also go after bullies, schools or education officials who break the law.

Prior to Tuesday's signing, Montana was the only state in the US without a law addressing bullying.