Speak Out On NJ Anti-Bullying Law At 2 State Hearings

TRENTON, NJ — Faced with increasing instances of bullying and complaints that New Jersey's anti-bullying laws aren't doing enough to protect students who are targeted, a state task force will be holding two hearings on the laws in October.

New Jersey's Anti-Bullying Task Force is seeking to hear from students who have been bullied and their families as it examines ways to improve how harassment, intimidation and bullying are addressed in schools.

The hearings are scheduled for Oct. 4 and 5, with the Oct. 4 hearing in person and Oct. 5 set up as a virtual hearing. Information on registering to speak is below.

The hearings come in the wake of the death of 14-year-old Adriana Kuch, the Central Regional High School freshman who died by suicide in February after she was attacked and video of the attack circulated on social media.

In the wake of Kuch's death, dozens of current and former Central Regional students told the school board at the Bayville school of relentless bullying that went unaddressed.

In Brick Township, a family has planned a rally for Saturday to push for change after an incident where they say their 13-year-old son was humiliated by two students with acts that had sexual overtones while a group of nearly 20 students watched. Read more: Anti-Bullying Rally Set In Brick In Wake Of Attack On Boy

The boy's father says his son was repeatedly bullied in school before the incident, and was threatened with an attack in school if he told anyone about it.

New Jersey has what is considered the most comprehensive anti-bullying laws in the United States, but in multiple cases families have expressed frustration with the process that law details for addressing bullying.

Dianne Grossman, who founded Mallory's Army after her 12-year-old daughter took her life in 2017, has been equally critical of the school district's handling of bullying her daughter suffered. In a 2021 Facebook post she wrote the district had "a team of administrators who cared more about paperwork and dismissing our complaints than preventing more abuse."

"The input of people who have been most affected by bullying is crucial to inform the work of the task force," said Angelica Allen-McMillan, the acting Commissioner of Education. "The recommendations of the task force, in turn, can help provide policymakers and legislators the direction needed to ensure students have access to a safe and supportive learning environment."

"The Anti-Bullying Task Force is centered around the issue of providing welcoming, inclusive, and safe school spaces for all students in New Jersey," said Shannon Cuttle, director of NJ Safe Schools Coalition and Safe Schools Action Network, who is chairing the task force. "We look forward to hearing from families and students during the public hearings so that their voices are represented in this process."

People who wish to testify at one of the hearings must register by Monday, Oct. 2. Speakers will have 3 minutes to speak at the hearings.

The in-person hearing is set for 5 p.m.-7 p.m. Oct. 4 at the NJ Department of Education, 100 Riverview Plaza, Trenton. Register here for the in-person hearing.

The virtual hearing is 5 p.m.-7 p.m. Oct. 5 and will be conducted via Microsoft Teams. A link will be emailed to registrants prior to the hearing. Register here for the virtual hearing.

Anyone seeking to provide public testimony is urged to also submit a written statement by emailing ABTF2023@doe.nj.gov. Anyone unable to attend the hearing may submit written testimony by email to ABTF2023@doe.nj.gov.

The task force is expected to issue its final report to the Governor and Legislature by the end of the year.