Ohio House passes bill on school-bullying policies

COLUMBUS (AP) — Ohio schools would have to educate students and their parents about the districts’ bans on bullying and harassment under a bill passed by the Ohio House.

Representatives voted 84-12 today to require age-appropriate instruction on bullying policies in schools that get public money. Students could be taught about the policies in the classroom or in an assembly setting.

Districts would be required to send their anti-bullying policies home to parents. The bill also would allow those policies to be printed on school report cards.

The bill is sponsored by Rep. John Barnes. The Cleveland Democrat said the legislation’s goal is to discourage the behavior that leads to bullying and to make students aware of the consequences.