Under legislation passed by the Senate Wednesday, school districts would be required to develop and implement anti-bullying policy. Senate Bill 137, sponsored by Senator Rick Jones (R-Grand Ledge), passed the Senate on a straight party-line vote of 26-11.
The content of a substitute version of the legislation adopted on the Senate floor; however, created significant and passionate disagreement from Democrats – as well as fallout continuing throughout the week. The disagreements began with Democratic arguments that specific characteristics should be enumerated in the legislation, such as race, gender, or sexual orientation. The GOP caucus position is that the enumeration of specific characteristics could risk leaving some groups out of the intended protection.
The most significant issue causing division of the upper chamber during debate, and subsequent fallout, was language included in the floor-adopted substitute providing an exemption from bullying policies for statements made based on a religious belief or moral conviction. While Republicans claim the measure represents a significant move forward, Democrats claim the exemption provides permission to bully under certain circumstances.
Subsequent to the bill’s passage, Kevin Epling, the father of East Lansing
Senate Bill 137 now moves to the House for consideration.