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Minutes for HB2330 - Committee on Education
Short Title
Policies and procedures to prohibit and investigate bullying.
Minutes Content for Wed, Feb 20, 2019
Chairperson Huebert opened the hearing on HB2330.
Jason Long briefed the Committee on this bullying bill. He shared a memorandum comparing two bills presently in the process of being heard, that both focus on solutions for bullying: HB2330 and HB2257. (Attachment 10)
The Chairperson invited Oral Proponents to speak.
Representative Thomas,co-requester of this legislation, shared that he was a victim of bullying as a child. He is concerned for his own children and all Kansas children who face the possibility of being bullied. He urged the Committee to take this issue seriously and support the bill. (Attachment 11)
Representative Samsel, co-requester of the bill, thanked Chairperson Huebert for the chance to work on this legislation. He introduced the disturbing bullying situation that is present in Kansas and the inaction, or ineffective action that has been taken, starting in 2007 when anti-bullying legislation was first enacted. The intent of that legislation was admirable but many schools have not implemented the policies and plans. He summarized the bill and urged the Committee to enthusiastically support it. (Attachment 12)
Proponent Walt Chappell, told the story of Rhianna and how she was bullied. Her parents were concerned, tried to get the principal to do something about it, but the school didn't do anything. She committed suicide. Chappell is here today because of her, because he told her family he would stand up for her. This must stop, he urged, there must be a comprehensive, state wide policy about bullying. He has worked on legislation for years, is deeply frustrated with what he believes is a lack of action to protect vulnerable children, and strongly recommended that the Committee take action swiftly to help kids that are in trouble. (Attachment 13)
Written Only Proponent:
Trish Hileman, Parent, USD 259 (Attachment 14)
The Chairperson invited Oral Neutral conferees to speak.
Mark Desetti testified as neutral but appreciates the effort and thought put into the bill. He noted there are three bills addressing the issue of bullying, of them he believes HB2257 is the best. The Kansas National Education Association has some specific problems with this bill, although they support much of the components. He recommends a task force, even if one of the bullying bills is passed this year, this is a long term struggle. In his 21 sessions, dyslexia and bullying have been brought up time and time again. The issue of dyslexia is another perennial struggle, year after year. The dyslexia task force effectively brought together a variety of shareholders. Perhaps the same thing, he offered, could be true of this issue. (Attachment 15)
The Chairperson invited Oral Opponents to speak.
Opponent Rob Gilligan stated that the Kansas Association of School Boards legal team was concerned about some of the elements of the bill. He explained that they do not oppose the ideology of the bill, and recognize the importance and need for better response to bullying. KASB would support a task force. The one concern, he shared, is that when KASB says we want to begin a conversation, we cannot be the only ones involved in this issue. Bullying doesn't only happen during school hours. (Attachment 16)
G.A. Buie was not scheduled to be a conferee on this issue, but he requested a moment to share some of his deeply held beliefs. His message was: policy will not stop bullying. He said, "It is not a policy issue. It is not a paperwork issue. It is a people issue. We do have a challenge, in our schools and in our society. This is a challenge of our society. If we want to affect bullying and the behavior that goes on, we must understand it is a social and emotional issue. It is in and out of school. Bullying can go on for years." He did not take a stand on the bill, but spoke out of his many years as a school administrator, sharing his experience that bullying is an issue that pervades our society, and it must be addressed as such.
Written only Opponents:
Tom Witt, Equality Kansas (Attachment 17)
Liz Hamor, GLSEN Kansas (Attachment 18)
Ryan Jilka, Principal, Discovery Intermediate School (Attachment 19)
There was a conversation between the conferees and the Representatives.
Chairperson Huebert closed the hearing on HB2233, and announced that tomorrow the Committee would be working HB2144 and HB2166. He adjourned the meeting at 2:53.
