New Jersey would create state and student groups to address school bullying

The state would establish an Anti-Bullying Commission in the Department of Education to review how schools carry out the state’s anti-bullying law and recommend improvements. The commission would include education officials, people with bullying expertise, and a family member and a student over 17 who have experienced bullying. The commission would hold at least one public hearing each year and report to the Governor and Legislature every five years.

The state would establish an Anti-Bullying Youth Council to advise the commission and recommend ways to prevent and respond to bullying. The council would include 21 public and nonpublic school students in grades six through 12, with one appointed from each county, and four nonvoting legislators. Students under 18 would need written permission from a parent or guardian to join and take part. The council would submit policy recommendations to the commission at each commission hearing and send an activity report to state leaders every year.