Anti-bullying legislation bogs down in legislature--but compromise is being suggested

With the Iowa Legislature working to end its 2014 session, the final days might see a compromise on the anti-bullying bill Governor Terry Branstad proposed when the 2014 legislative session began.

The State Senate has wanted legislation to create a new anti-bullying office within the Department of Education and to fund a $1 million competitive grant program for anti-bullying initiatives.

The State Assembly has balked at language in the bill allowing school officials to discipline students for bullying incidents that happen off school grounds.

State Representative Roger Thomas says a compromise being discussed in the legislature would include only a requirement for school officials to notify parents on bullying incidents involving their children and an expanded definition of bullying that would include "cyberbullying" through social media and other on-line approaches.