Cyberbully Bill Seeks to Close Loopholes, End Electronic Harassment

Assemblymember Cristina Garcia (D-Bell Gardens) brought her measure, Assembly Bill 256, which targets punishing student cyberbullies, up for hearing Wednesday before the Assembly Education Committee.

AB 256 focuses on providing a critical update to state law and close loopholes dealing with student cyber-bullying, including harassment using smartphones, text, computers and social media platforms.

Current law does not provide that a student who bullies will be suspended or expelled for their behavior, unless the act is related to a school activity or school attendance.

Garcia, a former mathematics teacher, introduced her legislation as a result of the abuse and the damage to students she has seen as a result of bullying and the escalation to cyber-bullying, through the use of instant communication made possible by the explosive growth of electronic devices.

Since AB 256 was introduced in January, many highly publicized cases of cyber-bullying have been reported nationally with tragic consequences, including the recent suicide of Saratoga High School student Audrie Pott.

—Comprehensive coverage of the Audrie Pott case can be found on our topic page by clicking here.