Why should states pass anti-bullying laws? On Thursday, October 23, 2003, The Scottsdale Tribune published an editorial titled "Wrong Way to Tame Bullies." The writer felt that Arizona did not need a law against bullying. Instead, he felt that this problem could and should be dealt with at the local level. He stated that "… teachers and parents must take reports of bullying seriously. They must be able to distinguish between harmless teasing and malicious taunts and threats — or worse. That requires not another law, but conscientious, caring parents, teachers and administrators." Brenda High, mother of Jared High -- a 13 year-old bullying victim who committed suicide -- and author of the Bully Police U.S.A., Inc. Web site, was given permission to do a special editorial rebuttal to The Scottsdale Tribune.

The following links provide access to information, compiled by Brenda High and available on the Bully Police U.S.A, Inc. Web site, on anti-bullying laws throughout the United States. The states with a question mark (?) next to them either have anti-bullying policies or laws pending or some comments (made by Brenda High) about the need for or status of their policies or laws. The states with an asterix next to them (*) have enacted anti-bullying laws.

The remaining states either do not currently have initiatives to create anti-bullying policies or laws or, if they do, Bully Police U.S.A., Inc. does not have information about such efforts.