HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 150

(By Delegate Poore)

 

 

 

Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance to conduct a study relating to bullying in the public schools of West Virginia.

    Whereas, Bullying in schools is as old as any problem that plagues schools and bullying incidents leave victims traumatized and scarred for many years while the culprits gain more confidence to continue with their anti-social and destructive behaviors; and

    Whereas, Physical abuse and taunting that result from bullying in schools also has an exclusionary effect that prevents its victims from fully participating in the classroom and school events; and

    Whereas, Bullying creates an atmosphere of apprehension, fear and intimidation that prevents students from reaching their full potential later in life as productive workers, spouses and parents; and

    Whereas, Although most victims of bullying in schools are too meek to take matters into their own hands, a few of them can be pushed to certain critical limits such as the shooting incidents in the 1999 Columbine High School Massacre have raised speculations that bullying in schools can lead to dire consequences; and

    Whereas, As a study showed that sixty percent of identified bullies during their grades six though nine eventually got involved in at least one criminal conviction by age twenty-four, it's clearly a problem that builds to later consequences, and something has to be done to prevent it, to stop bullies as early as possible; therefore, be it

    Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

    That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby requested to study bullying in public schools, including, but not limited to, study what anti-bullying programs and policies that currently exist in this and other states, which schools in West Virginia have “alternative” schooling available to them, the types of counseling available in the schools of this and other states that can be used to counsel bullies, their victims and their respective parents and any current programs available to public teachers assisting them in identifying bullying behaviors and their consequences; and, be it

    Further Resolved, That the committee is to consult with the State Department of Education, the West Virginia Board of Education, the Department of Health and Human Services, the county boards of education, teachers and administrators; and, be it

    Further Resolved, That the committee shall report to the Legislature its findings, conclusions and recommendations, together with drafts of any legislation necessary to effectuate its recommendations no later than January 1, 2012; and, be it

    Further Resolved, That the expenses necessary to conduct the study and to prepare appropriate reports, recommendations and proposed legislation be paid from legislative appropriations to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance.