State closing in on cyberbullying deal

ALBANY -- New York could announce as early as this week a legislative deal to crack down on cyberbullying in schools and through social media, according to a state official close to the private negotiations.

The official told The Associated Press that Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo, Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos and Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver are planning to pass the measure by the end of the regular session June 21. The official spoke on the condition of anonymity because the deal isn't yet final.

A three-way deal would include input from the Senate's Republican majority and the Assembly's Democratic majority and would be expected to pass easily. The Assembly stresses prevention and awareness, particularly in schools. The Senate also requires reporting and provides immunity from civil lawsuits for "good-faith" reporting of cyberbullying.

The proposed education laws are backed up by criminal laws under which the behavior can be prosecuted.

"We are hopeful an agreement can be reached to address the very serious problem of cyberbullying," said Michael Whyland, spokesman for Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver.

Each chamber seeks to crack down on threatening, taunting or insulting emails, instant messages and postings to social media including Facebook.

More than 30 states, including New York, have some laws targeting "cyber harassment" and most also have laws focusing on stalking through the Internet, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

But the measures vary greatly.

Although threatening or harassing behavior has long been covered in law, specific laws regarding abuse of the Internet can make enforcement easier, according to NCSL.

New York Sen. Stephen Saland, a Poughkeepsie Republican, said he pushed his part of the cyberbullying package because fear and abuse have, in some cases, "severely impeded" instruction.

The measure is fueled by cases such as the suicide of a 15-year-old girl on Staten Island two days after Christmas. A relative told the Staten Island Advance that the teen was tormented by bullies.