By Rick Pluta, Michigan Public Radio Network
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wkar/local-wkar-901826.mp3
LANSING, MI –
The state House has approved a bill that would require school districts to adopt anti-bullying policies.
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The measure does not outline what has to be in a school district's policy, but it does suggest districts try to combat bullying and harassment in schools, busses, on social networking sites, and mobile communication devices.
Democratic Representative Pam Byrnes sponsored the measure. She says eight teenagers in Michigan have committed suicide in the last eight years in circumstances related to bullying.
"And how many children do we have to have experience bullying before we do what is right and responsible," she says.
She also says Michigan is one of just seven states that has not adopted some type of anti-bullying laws. But there is still no deal to get the measure through the Republican-controlled Senate. A similar measure cleared the House last year only to die in the Senate.