Kevin Epling visited Macomb Township a few months ago to talk about Matt and his hope for anti-bullying legislation. Check it out: http://macomb.patch.com/articles/dakota-asks-students-to-speak-out-against-bullying

Cry me a river! When I grew up, I was bullied and survived. Bullies have been around since the beginning of time and will always be here. Matt chose to commit suicide and because of his decision the state is passing more "feel good" laws, the last thing we need. It must be an election year.

"As passed today, bullying kids is okay if a student, parent, teacher or school employee can come up with a moral or religious reason for doing it."
Please, Ms. Janice Monarrez, be more specific in what kind of bullying exclusions are supposed to be allowed and please name the group that pushed for this exclusion. It appears that some lame lobbying group is trying to take the teeth out of this bill.
Bullying is bullying, even if it is part of an initiation right. We must protect the weak from their oppressors.

I'll be disappointed in Gov. Snyder if he passes this bill, as amended, which is too nebulous to be good legislation.

So bullying is okay if it expresses a "sincerely held religious belief or moral conviction." I am left wondering precisely which religions and which moral convictions promote persecution. Although the advocates of these legal exemptions are the same who usually proclaim Islam to be the nexus of intolerance, I expect that these acolytes of violence under the excuse of "sincerely held religious belief" claim more mainstream faith. These Republicans other times argue that Affirmative Action is to be resisted so that individuals may be treated equally, but devalue their principles when they insist that religious or moral bullies deserve special protection.

Exemptions are anyway probably not needed to protect these special needs bullies or their sponsors. Rather, they can say their prayers and then sleep comfortably and safe in their beds. This is because the measure does not require school districts to report bullying incidents, provide for enforcement, require teacher training, or hold administrators accountable if they fail to act.

But there is good new in this bill. Presumably, if one is a bully whose "sincerely held religious beliefs or moral convictions" require one to bully those who bully because of "sincerely held religious beliefs or moral convictions," then these protections also apply. Perhaps two wrongs may indeed make a right!

the bill does not go far enough. It needs to be stronger all of our children need to be protected.

I suggest everyone read the story about the recent 'hazing' in Walled Lake if they don't think this kind of legislation is essential. What horrifies me is the community coming out on the side of the Coach in whose house the incident took place. It seems that as long as your strongly held belief is football, you can bully and physically abuse kids any way you like in our schools. Horrific.

By saying "Homosexually is against the Bible" THAT IS NOT BULLYING. THAT IS A FACT. Bullying is purposely hurting or harrassing another. We, as Christians, are not to do that. We threat everyone with respect, but that does not mean we do not have an opinion. That is the difference! Everything has gone to far. I even heard on TV a really old saying when someone wants something back, he is called an "Indian giver". It was said those two words offended so many people. I really doubt it. It was just an old saying and it doesn't mean anything. People are just too thin skinned today and offended by every little thing. If we get stricker and stricker laws then WATCH OUT as you could end up with a "crime" for the smallest thing. But yes, we should not BULLY. That is totally different.

All forms, for any reason, bullying hurts. It maims your heart, puts doubt & sorrow in your soul. I've had my fair share, not just as a normal person, but also as my professional mermaid persona. Heck, it's part of my message to people as a mermaid - that it's okay to be exactly who you are, that you shouldn't have to apologize or hide from others just because they'd treat you differently, even cruelly. Hold your head high and keep treading water, because the waters do get calmer. Not permanently, or perfectly, but the first step to being happy is loving yourself just the way you are. =)

I get where the bill's writers are coming from, I do. But I'm afraid that some people might see the way it's worded as giving them a loophole to keep doing what they're doing. =/

I just want Michigan's kids to become Michigan's adults. As adults and parents, it's our duty to make their futures a better, happier place.

The funny part school districts have had harassment policies for years. Look at your student code of conduct. if the law hasnt gone far enough then maybe the local governments can fix that with policies or ordinances that can cover it. Contact your local government entities for suppoort.

This is an extremely complex issue, and as Erin Maday points out (and perhaps others as well) in the age of Twitter, FB, MySpace etc. , bullying has reached a new level. It's a sad state of affairs when it's to the level that the State has to legislate against the heinous nature of all bullying encompasses- its a moral and societal failure that its even reached this level- if even one person is driven to self harm because of anothers words or actions, we've all failed. Where is the accountability? How do we address it when the kids hatred of a class,race, gender or sexual identity is learned from their elders?Starting by convincing people hat think bullying is somehow o.k, not harmful, or not worth addressing is the first step- it IS wrong, it IS unacceptable, and sadly, it almost always comes from a place of being bullied one's self or feeling inadequate, and "acting out" on another person. This isn't 'feel- good mumbo jumbo'- it's called a sense of humanity, it extends to what we think, what we do, what we teach our kids.

continued....I've always felt that at the heart of bullying is a lack of personal self-esteem and a disconnection from others- this is why, even more than legislation, we need to incorporate more in the way of "Positive Behavioral Support" initiatives into the schools ( which GP already does). The more connected people feel, the less they are inclined to bully- its the internet with its sense of anonyminity that breeds bullying. Accountability has to be a part of the conversation, and if the parents aren't on the same page, its an uphill battle.

worthless law. and agreed, outlines how to get away with it!..Can't the elected people do better than this? I think so. Please do