×

Sodders helps pass safe schools legislation

On Tuesday, March 31, 2015, Senator Steve Sodders of State Center helped the Iowa Senate approve bipartisan legislation that takes major steps forward to reduce the bullying of Iowa students both in and out of schools. Senate File 345 was approved by a vote of 43-7.

“Bullying can devastate children, families, and communities, and the effects can last into adulthood,” said Sodders. “Senate File 345 breaks new ground by addressing bullying that uses electronic communications to bully others and bullying that occurs outside of school grounds. It also creates a state-level working group and mandates training in local schools when funding becomes available.”

The 2014 Iowa Youth Survey (IYS) State Report surveyed 77,139 students representing 85 percent of public schools. The survey is conducted with students in grades 6, 8, and 11 attending Iowa public and private schools. Thirty-nine percent of all respondents reported they were bullied at school at least once in the last 30 days by other students calling them names, making fun of them, or teasing in a hurtful way.

“Every Iowa child has the unquestionable right to be safe and secure at their school and in their community,” said Sodders. “Today, I was pleased to support this legislation, which has many of the same approaches of the ‘Not In Our Town’ effort in Marshalltown.”

Last year, the Iowa Senate approved a comprehensive anti-bullying bill, but the Iowa House failed to debate the bill. This year, concerned citizens from across Iowa worked with legislators to create a compromise which it is hoped the Iowa House will approve and Governor Branstad will sign.

Sodders helps pass safe schools legislation

On Tuesday, March 31, 2015, Senator Steve Sodders of State Center helped the Iowa Senate approve bipartisan legislation that takes major steps forward to reduce the bullying of Iowa students both in and out of schools. Senate File 345 was approved by a vote of 43-7.

“Bullying can devastate children, families, and communities, and the effects can last into adulthood,” said Sodders. “Senate File 345 breaks new ground by addressing bullying that uses electronic communications to bully others and bullying that occurs outside of school grounds. It also creates a state-level working group and mandates training in local schools when funding becomes available.”

The 2014 Iowa Youth Survey (IYS) State Report surveyed 77,139 students representing 85 percent of public schools. The survey is conducted with students in grades 6, 8, and 11 attending Iowa public and private schools. Thirty-nine percent of all respondents reported they were bullied at school at least once in the last 30 days by other students calling them names, making fun of them, or teasing in a hurtful way.

“Every Iowa child has the unquestionable right to be safe and secure at their school and in their community,” said Sodders. “Today, I was pleased to support this legislation, which has many of the same approaches of the ‘Not In Our Town’ effort in Marshalltown.”

Last year, the Iowa Senate approved a comprehensive anti-bullying bill, but the Iowa House failed to debate the bill. This year, concerned citizens from across Iowa worked with legislators to create a compromise which it is hoped the Iowa House will approve and Governor Branstad will sign.