Hall sponsors anti-bully legislation - KTIV News 4 Sioux City IA: News, Weather and Sports

A local lawmaker wants to stop bullying before it starts. Sioux City Representative Chris Hall introduced a bully bill, in Des Moines, this session.

The bill focuses on mediation, engaging the parents, and ensures that when bullying is reported, it will be dealt within a consistent and meaningful way.

The school will first try to work with the family of the student who engages in harassment or bullying to find the cause of the behavior, and stop it.

If the family refuses to engage in this process, or the attempt to stop the behavior is unsuccessful, the school will refer the matter to local courts for mediation, much like state truancy laws.

During the mediation process, a mediator will attempt to determine the cause of behavior and work towards an agreement that ends the behavior in a manner acceptable to all parties. If necessary, the mediator may refer the bullying child to counseling or local agencies to help resolve the matter.

The school will be responsible for monitoring whether the mediation agreement is followed.

If the mediation agreement is violated, or the family refuses to engage in mediation, that parent may be prosecuted or provided to do community service in a manner similar to the parent of a truant child.