WEST DES MOINES -- Gov. Chet Culver on Monday signed into law an anti-bullying measure, adding sexual orientation and gender identity to the list of factors for which students canšt be harassed.
"This bill makes it clear Iowans are committed to providing protection against intolerance in every Iowa school," said Culver. "This bill simply says that bullying, threats, intimidation and intolerance have no place in our public education system."
The governor traveled to a suburban high school to sign the measure. He was joined by lawmakers, school administrators and civil rights leaders from around the state.
The measure he signed establishes a state policy banning school employees, volunteers and students from harassing or bullying students, and puts in place a long list of items for which students must be protected. The list includes issues like race and gender, but most of the controversy surrounding the measure came because of the inclusion of sexual orientation and gender identity.
"Now that we have the policy, we must all work together to give our educators and administrators the training and tools necessary to eliminate bullying in our schools forever," Culver said in a statement accompanying his signature.
The measure had been a top priority of civil rights advocacy groups, who argued that harassment of gay students is common.
The Iowa Pride Network, a statewide advocacy group, said it conducted a 2005 study that found 83 percent of openly gay students reported being harassed because of their sexual orientation.
The measure Culver signed into law also puts into place a requirement that schools file reports about any incidents involving harassment. Backers said that would give state education officials a better grip on the extent of the problem.
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