Story Archive

Completely Prohibited — Unless

Matt Epling was incessantly bullied at MacDonald Middle School in East Lansing, Mich. His last day of eighth grade was the final straw: he was given a “Welcome to High School” beating. School officials did little, so his parents decided to go to the police. But fearing retribution from his bullies, Epling killed himself rather than tell the police what happened. In the nine years since, the state’s Republican lawmakers would not let an anti-bullying law through, saying it would create a “protected class” of citizens: gays. Michigan is one of only three states without an anti-bullying law; meanwhile, “at least 10” more bullied students have committed suicide in the state. So this year, “Matt’s Safe School Law” was finally put to vote in the Michigan Senate. According to the proposed law put forth by Republicans, torment is not bullying if “a sincerely held religious belief or moral conviction” is behind the bully’s actions. The law specifically addresses “cyber bullying” — but only if the bully uses “a device owned or under the control of a school district” — not a student’s own cell phone. Also, Republicans would only support the bill if it didn’t require schools to report bullying, didn’t have provisions for enforcement or teacher training, and did not hold school officials accountable for failing to act. With that, the bill passed — 26 Republican votes in favor vs. 11 Democrats opposed. (RC/Detroit Free Press, Time) ...So if it’s signed by the Republican governor, Michigan will still be one of three states without an anti-bullying law.