Atlanta, GA, February 11, 2010 … The Anti-Defamation League (ADL), a leading provider of diversity education programs for Georgia schools, today praised the House Non-Civil Judiciary Committee for passing a bill that expands protections for students who are the victims of bullying in public schools.

Georgia's current anti-bullying law has sanctions for incidents of bullying in middle and high schools only, and defines bullying solely as an act of physical violence or threat of physical violence. The new bill (HB 927) would apply to students in kindergarten through 12th grade and expands the definition of bullying to include verbal, written or physical acts intended to threaten, harass or intimidate.

"We congratulate the committee for passing this important piece of legislation," said Bill Nigut, Southeast Regional Director of the Anti-Defamation League. "We're pleased that they see the wisdom of extending protection against bullying to students at all grade levels.

"But just as important, the bill addresses the teasing and taunting and threats of violence that make students feel unsafe in the hallways and classrooms of their schools." Nigut said.  "Teachers and principals agree that students who feel unsafe in school cannot learn."

Nigut pointed out that ADL is in daily contact with school officials because the League's No Place for Hate® diversity education initiative is now running in more than 200 metro Atlanta schools.

Georgia's current anti-bullying law has sanctions for incidents of bullying in middle and high schools only, and defines bullying solely as an act of physical violence or threat of physical violence. The new bill (HB 927) would apply to students in kindergarten through 12th grade and expands the definition of bullying to include verbal, written or physical acts intended to threaten, harass or intimidate.

"We congratulate the committee for passing this important piece of legislation," said Bill Nigut, Southeast Regional Director of the Anti-Defamation League. "We're pleased that they see the wisdom of extending protection against bullying to students at all grade levels.

"But just as important, the bill addresses the teasing and taunting and threats of violence that make students feel unsafe in the hallways and classrooms of their schools." Nigut said.  "Teachers and principals agree that students who feel unsafe in school cannot learn."

Nigut pointed out that ADL is in daily contact with school officials because the League's No Place for Hate® diversity education initiative is now running in more than 200 metro Atlanta schools.

The Anti-Defamation League, founded in 1913, is the world's leading organization fighting anti-Semitism through programs and services that counteract hatred, prejudice and bigotry.