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Illinois House of Reps to expand definition of bullying

By WEEK Producer
March 28, 2012 Updated Mar 29, 2012 at 10:16 AM CDT

SPRINGFIELD, Ill -- The Illinois House has voted to strengthen the state's anti-bullying laws.

House Bill 5290 would expand the state's definition of bullying as children making fun of others on the basis of physical appearance, socioeconomic or academic status, pregnancy, parenting status and homelessness.

The bill would also require school districts to create a bullying prevention policy, which critics describe as an "un-funded mandate", and there is no penalty for schools that fail to create anti-bullying programs.

The Bill now moves to the Illinois Senate.

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