Committee hears emotional testimony on anti‑bullying bills including 'Sawyer’s Law'; no vote taken
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Summary
Lawmakers heard testimony on two companion anti‑bullying bills — House Bill 1698 and House Bill 2120 (called "Sawyer’s Law" by one sponsor) — which focus on mandatory reporting to administrators and notification of parents and school boards; witnesses recounted a student's suicide and urged immediate notification rules.
The House Committee on Elementary and Secondary Education heard testimony on two similar anti‑bullying bills, House Bill 1698 and House Bill 2120. Sponsors Representative John Black and Representative Maisie Christiansen asked the panel to consider merging the bills; Christiansen said her version is known as "Sawyer’s Law." Both sponsors described the measures primarily as reporting bills to ensure administrators and school boards receive timely information about bullying incidents.
Representative Black said the bill would require reporting and policy development, provide immunity to teachers and volunteers acting in good faith, and ensure that criminal conduct is reported to appropriate authorities. Representative Christiansen emphasized immediate reporting by employees who witness bullying and a parental‑notification requirement she said she added on the House floor.
Committee members asked whether names of bullied students would appear in reports to boards and raised FERPA concerns. Representative Black said current statute and FERPA allow school boards to see such information. Members also raised questions about how the bills distinguish bullying from protected expression, whether off‑campus or cyber incidents are covered, and whether adding second‑degree harassment to the reportable list risks increasing law‑enforcement involvement for young students.
Emotional public testimony included a family member who said her relative was repeatedly bullied, the school did not investigate or notify the family, and the student later died by suicide. The witness urged immediate notification requirements: "Had I had the chance, she could have still been with me." Other witnesses — including a parent and a special‑education attorney — urged clearer definitions and stronger mandated reporting, and raised concerns about boards not reviewing incident reports.
No committee vote was taken on either bill during the hearing. Sponsors and committee members signaled willingness to work on timing and definitional language, and the committee said it would accept additional written testimony.
What’s next: The sponsors encouraged committee staff to continue conversations about merging the bills and clarifying immediate‑reporting and parental‑notification provisions.
