“It is important to ensure our kids grow up free from the secret burdens of bullying. Keeping them safe from harassment, bullying and other forms of intimidation is a top priority in our district and across the country,” Tom said. “We are proud to work together to end this age-old problem that has spread to so many new forms with the growth of technology in our day to day lives.”–Rep Tom Reed

Rep. Tom Reed announced the introduction of bipartisan legislation called Danny’s Law to address bullying in schools with Representatives Max Rose (D-N.Y.), Peter King (R-N.Y.), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) and Haley Stevens (D-Mich.).

“Reed’s bill” is H.R. 3659. It was introduced by Max Rose (D-N.Y.). It currently has four cosponsors. Tom claims:

“Danny’s Law,” H.R. 3659, would direct the President to establish an “Anti-Bullying Roundtable,” a commission tasked with studying bullying in elementary and secondary schools in the United States. The Roundtable will be established to consult with State and local educational agencies regarding policies on bullying, stakeholder education, and instances of student violence and self-harm as a result of bullying.

A similar bill died in committee at the end of the 115th Congress.

Another bill,  The Safe Schools Improvement Act H.R. 2563 would:

… amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) to require school districts in states that receive ESEA funds to adopt codes of conduct specifically prohibiting bullying and harassment, including on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, and religion. SSIA would also require that states report data on bullying and harassment to the Department of Education. The Department of Education would then be required to provide Congress with a report on the state reported data every two years.

This bill has 57 cosponsors. Rep. Reed is not among them. Which of these bills is more likely to be accepted by the Democratic Party majority on the House Committee on Education and Labor?

https://reed.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2872

https://www.hrc.org/resources/safe-schools-improvement-act

https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/3659

https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/2653