Senate Democrats introduce anti-bullying legislation

By Anjeanette Damon

Wednesday, March 30, 2011 | 11:22 a.m.

Senate Democrats today unveiled a package of legislation aimed at tightening anti-bullying laws, providing a more “measured response” to sexting and helping children in foster care with education and health care.

Sen. David Parks, D-Las Vegas, introduced legislation that would require school districts to hire an anti-bullying coordinator, enhance procedures for reporting bullying that would protect the anonymity of the victim and provide anti-bullying training for new teachers.

And a bill by Sen. Sheila Leslie, D-Reno, would give district attorneys more latitude to prosecute bullying offenses.

“The school districts all have (anti-bullying) policies, but in the field what we’re hearing is they are not always followed,” Leslie said.

In a bill aimed at “sexting,” Sen. Valerie Weiner, D-Las Vegas, is seeking to reduce the first-time penalties for a minor who sends an explicit photo of himself or herself by cell phone. A second offense, or sending a photo of someone else, would be prosecuted as a delinquent act.

And Senate Majority Leader Steven Horsford, D-North Las Vegas, sponsored legislation aimed at helping foster children make it through high school. The bill also seeks to halt the over-medication of foster children and encourages children to maintain contact with their family members.