NY lawmakers propose bills against cyberbullying

ALBANY - Following suicides, beatings and assaults on teenagers' self-esteem, New York is seeking to prevent school bullying done through the Internet and texting.

Several bills are pending in the Senate and Assembly. Republicans in the Senate minority Tuesday proposed a package of bills that seek to compel schools to address, investigate and report bullying. Sen. Kemp Hannon, a Nassau County Republican, says New York doesn't specifically outlaw cyber bullying.

Bills sponsored by the Assembly's Democratic majority include one to direct the state education commissioner to create rules to prohibit harassment, intimidation and bullying of students and another specifically prohibiting bullying by "electronic communication."

Senate Republicans seek laws to require schools to discourage bullying and cyber bullying enforced by suspension, expulsion and other school discipline and requiring school employees to report incidents or potentially face a misdemeanor. - AP