West Virginia Considers Bullying Bill

West Virginia is considering an anti-bullying bill that would protect students on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.

The state Department of Education is taking public comments until 4 p.m. Tuesday about the 75-page student conduct and disciplinary policy that the Board of Education will consider Dec. 14. If approved, changes that specifically acknowledge the targeting of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students would go into effect July 1, 2012. The civil rights group Fairness West Virginia lauds the new language as "a landmark achievement." It says the policy effectively provides political and legal cover to teachers and others who might hesitate to help a student.