Gov. Brown signs anti-bullying measure.

[RandySF]

On another high-profile issue, Brown signed into law AB9, also known as Seth's Law, in order to combat bullying of gay and lesbian students in public schools. The law, by Assemblyman Tom Ammiano, D-San Francisco, is named for Seth Walsh, a 13-year-old gay Tehachapi (Kern County) student who committed suicide in September 2010 following antigay bullying in school.

The law requires that school districts across the state have a uniform process for dealing with complaints about bullying. It also mandates that school personnel intervene, when safe to do so, if they witness an act of bullying.

"Hopefully, if (students) have any thoughts about self destruction or not being worthwhile, this could provide them with that safety net," Ammiano said. An earlier version of the bill required that students who harass or bully other students receive alternative punishment to a simple suspension, including mediation, counseling or anger management.



http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2011/10/10/BAHB1LFRO3.DTL#ixzz1aRi4jRJ4

[JDPriestly]

1. Thanks, Jerry Brown.