Hickenlooper Signs School Anti-Bullying Law
DENVER (CBS4/AP) -- Gov. John Hickenlooper signed a bill into law aimed at reducing bullying in Colorado schools.
Hickenlooper signed the bill at Lakewood High School Friday as students and the proposal's sponsors looked on. The measure updates definitions for bullying at schools, including adding language about online bullying.
The new law also encourages schools to conduct biannual student surveys about bullying and enables the state to accept grants to provide grants for prevention programs.
The plan updates definitions on bullying, which now includes online harassment.
A woman from Colorado Springs said she was bullied in high school because she is gay and hopes this law will help others in similar situations.
"I was really embarrassed and scared to trust what was going on and I didn't trust the school would take care of me because of the reasons I was being bullied," said bully victim Jessica Stollman.
The law also encourages schools to conduct two surveys a year about bullying.
The governor was also visiting a restaurant in Lakewood to sign a bill allowing bars and restaurants to sell low-strength beer.
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