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(TRENTON) – Legislation Senate Majority Leader Barbara Buono and Senator Diane Allen sponsored to combat harassment, intimidation and bullying among students was today released by a Senate committee.

The bi-partisan “Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights” has gained nationwide recognition for being one of the country’s most comprehensive attempts to stop bullying in the wake of numerous suicides by young people who had been emotionally tortured by their peers.

(TRENTON) – Senate Majority Leader Barbara Buono and Assemblywoman Valerie Vainieri Huttle today unveiled the “Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights” – bipartisan legislation designed to combat harassment, intimidation and bullying among students. The lawmakers were joined by advocates and victims who shared their stories, some of whom played key roles in the crafting of this legislation, which entailed nearly a year of research and discussions with top bullying experts.

The bipartisan measure is also sponsored by Senator Diane Allen (R-Burlington/Camden) and Assemblywoman Mary Pat Angelini (R-Monmouth).

“Our efforts today are based on the very simple belief that no child should ever be afraid of going to school,” said Buono (D-Middlesex). “The concept of bullying can no longer be confined to the tough kid on the playground, roughing up classmates for lunch money. We must accept that kids can be bullied at any time and any place, whether it be face-to-face or through hateful messages on a cell phone. We must protect our kids and allow them to grow up free of the emotional pain that can lead them into despair that life is not worth living.”