Teaneck, NJ, November 22, 2010 … The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) today applauded the New Jersey Legislature for passing comprehensive anti-bullying legislation that empowers New Jersey educators to respond effectively to bullying in public schools.

"The 'Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights' is critical to ensuring that New Jersey children can learn in a safer atmosphere," said Lawrence Cooper, ADL New Jersey Regional Board Chair and Etzion Neuer, ADL New Jersey Regional Director.   "By creating school safety teams composed of a cross section of the school, the legislation gives ownership of the problem of harassment, intimidation and bullying to the entire school community.  Students who feel unsafe in school cannot learn and this new law will make a significant difference for students."

The bipartisan bill's numerous provisions include extending bullying protections to off-school grounds and it compels districts to report instances of harassment, intimidation and bullying directly to the Commissioner of Education.  It also establishes a grading system to schools on how they handle the problem of bullying.  

The bill is a product of the research and discussions that began in 2007 with the creation of the New Jersey Commission on Bullying in the Schools, which ADL was a part of, and whose 2009 report provided the impetus for the new legislation.  New Jersey's first anti-bullying law was passed in 2002. 

ADL's New Jersey Region worked on the bill's passage with Garden State Equality and the New Jersey Coalition on Bullying Awareness and Prevention.

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.