Governor Branstad calls for debate and vote on anti-bullying bill

DES MOINES - Gov. Terry Branstad on Monday called on his fellow Republicans in the Iowa House to debate and vote on legislation designed to address bullying in Iowa's schools.

A proposal that is supported by Branstad passed the Democratic-controlled Iowa Senate, 43-7, in late March. It has since languished in the Iowa House, where leaders say some Republican state lawmakers have concerns with the bill.

Those leaders have not promised a vote on the bill during this session, which is winding down.

It is the governor's and legislators' third attempt at anti-bullying legislation in as many years. A year ago, the House and Senate each approved a different proposal, and the two sides were unable to reach a compromise.

'We want to see it debated and approved,” Branstad said Monday during his weekly news conference. 'This is an important enough issue that it needs to be addressed. I respect the legislative process. We've been working on this a long time, and we need to address it this year.”

Branstad said his preference would be for the House to vote on the Senate-passed bill.

'I know it's a delicate thing between the House and the Senate,” Branstad said. 'I do respect the legislative process. … I think they need to debate it and give the (House) members a chance to vote on it.”

House Republican leaders have said their primary concern is with the proposal's provision that allows school officials to decide against notifying a parent of a bullying incident if the official or victim thinks notification would place the victim in danger of further harm.

Branstad put the provision in his anti-bullying proposal, which he introduced in January.

'I think parents should be notified,” Branstad said, '(however), I think there may be rare cases where an exception to that might be appropriate.”