A new law in Tennessee will go into effect on July 1, formally defining bullying and cyberbullying and ensuring they are treated the same as harassment. The amendment, HB 2590, expands the offense of harassment to include bullying and cyberbullying, requiring law enforcement to notify the victim’s parents if they are a minor. Rodger Dinwiddie, CEO of Students Taking A Right Stand (STARS) Nashville, emphasized the importance of addressing bullying, as 17 to 20% of youth are regularly involved in such incidents.
Dinwiddie expressed concern that categorizing bullying and cyberbullying as Class A misdemeanors could deter school officials from reporting incidents due to potential fines. Despite his concerns, he believes harsher punishment may prevent bullying. During the legislative session, Rep. Gloria Johnson raised concerns about outing LGBTQ children to their parents, as mandated by the new law change, which could have serious repercussions.
Rep. Lowell Russell, the bill’s sponsor, argued that the law change could save lives by protecting children from violence and suicide resulting from bullying. House Majority Leader William Lamberth emphasized the importance of parents being aware of their child’s difficulties and supporting them. Governor Bill Lee signed the legislation in April, with the changes going into effect on July 1.
The new law aims to prevent bullying and cyberbullying by formally defining these actions as harassment and ensuring they are treated seriously, with the goal of protecting children and preventing harm.
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