Branstad, lawmakers seek to close gap on anti-bullying bill

DES MOINES - The time has come to address bullying in schools, Gov. Terry Branstad has declared.

In the wake of that proclamation, cautious optimism abounded among state lawmakers last week that, after previous unsuccessful efforts, this could be the year the body passes anti-bullying legislation.

Branstad devoted a significant portion of his 31-minute Condition of the State address last week to renew his call for new laws and programs to address bullying, a top priority of his second tenure as governor.

Since returning to office in 2010, Branstad has proposed legislation, held summits and visited schools statewide to discuss bullying.

'This is the year that we stand up to the bully. We can't wait any longer,” Branstad said forcefully during his address.

The split-control Legislature came close to passing a measure in 2014, but disagreements over a few details derailed the effort.

With a new legislative session underway and a new wrinkle in Branstad's plan, state lawmakers this past week sounded hopeful they will be able to complete their work on the issue.

'I hope it will come together,” said Sen. Brian Schoenjahn, D-Arlington, vice chairman of the Senate Education Committee. 'I think it's much needed. I certainly endorse the governor's direction here.”

Two sticking points in particular halted last year's effort to pass anti-bullying legislation:

' A requirement that parents be notified of all reported bullying incidents.

' Funding to train teachers and school officials how to recognize and handle bullying.

Keeping schools involved

It is vital for schools to be both proactive and reactive in addressing bullying, one state expert said.

Marizen Ramirez, an assistant professor in the University of Iowa's College of Public Health, said schools must develop cultures that seek to prevent bullying, and teachers and administrators must have the proper resources so they are prepared for action when it is required.

'When we look at how we intervene and prevent and respond to bullying, it's key that the school plays a role,” Ramirez said. She said community collaboration with schools also helps 'improve a culture of acceptance.”

'Bullying is the most prevalent form of youth peer victimization, and schools play a significant role,” Ramirez said.

The Sioux City Community School District has been heavily involved in anti-bullying efforts. District officials hosted Branstad and participated in the making of a documentary film, 'Bully.”

Superintendent Paul Gausman said he appreciates Branstad's continued focus on the subject.

'This is a topic that's very important to us,” Gausman said. 'We're very thankful that (Branstad) continues to make this a priority. I believe legislation in this area is something we need to consider ...

.

'We know that students must feel safe in school in order to learn.”

Notifying parents

The parents of bullying victims would have been notified of any incident under House Republicans' bill last year, a provision at which Democrats in the Senate balked.

Presumably seeking to bridge that divide, Branstad last week proposed inclusion of an exception for when a school official and the victimized student think parental notification would worsen the situation.

Several key state lawmakers said that exception should help the two parties forge a consensus on any legislation.

Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal, D-Council Bluffs, said the exception 'helps,” and Senate Education Committee chairman Herman Quirmbach, D-Ames, said he thinks that exception is needed.

House Speaker Kraig Paulsen, R-Hiawatha, said he appreciated the governor's recommendation.

'That's obviously the place where the two chambers disagreed last year. We thought parental notification was important, the Senate did not,” House Speaker Kraig Paulsen, R-Hiawatha, said. 'Hopefully, we can get that reconciled this year and get the bill to his desk.”

Gausman said the details of how that exception is spelled out in the legislation will be critical, and he said he would reserve judgment on the proposal until he could learn more about it.

Ramirez said bullying victims often are hesitant to report incidents, so schools must take great care with parental notification.

'That is a very tough one, and it's because victims are disempowered. Even reporting itself is a very challenging step for a victim to engage in,” she said. 'It's positive to include the adults, the parents, the guardians in an open process of communication.

'But that needs to be carefully crafted and considered in the context of the mental health of the victim, the structure in which the bullying occurs.”

Training and funding

Although there is some agreement in the Legislature that school officials must be trained on how to identify and address bullying, in 2014, the two chambers were far apart on funding. Senate Democrats called for $1 million and the creation of a new state office, and House Republicans called for $25,000.

Funding for training remains one of the few steps that ultimately could trip up anti-bullying legislation yet again.

Branstad's budget proposal this year included $200,000 for training programs.

'Whether that's good enough or not, we'll have to see,” said Rep. Ron Jorgensen, R-Sioux City, chairman of the House Education Committee. 'That's something we'll start with anyway.”