Cyberbullying - New law in California

Here is an article about the New California's Cyberbullying Law, AB 919 which Creates new "cyberbullying" penalties.

CA Enacts Laws Against Cyber Bullying KCBS - CA,USA - The new law will allow the state's public schools, as of January first, to suspend or expel students who are cyberbullies. ...A Pew Research Center study has found that about a third of teenagers say they have been annoyed or harassed online.

This brings California's grade up to a B+

California is now joining several other states who have recently enacted a cyberbullying, or electronic harassment clause inside anti bullying laws. Some of those states are Florida (A++ rating), Kentucky (A++ rating), Delaware (A++ rating) and Maryland (A++ rating). Others may have added a cyberbullying clause but I've not become aware of them yet. I know several states are talking about adding a cyberbullying clause to their laws.

The Case that Makes the Case for a Cyberbullying Law
One state, Missouri, may be taking action toward's a cyberbullying law this year because of the trial of Lori Drew. Apparently Drew actively conspired with two others in creating and maintaining a MySpace profile for a nonexistent 16-year-old boy named "Josh Evans" in September 2006. The Evans account was used by multiple people to flirt with, befriend and ultimately reject 13-year-old Megan Meier, who'd had a falling-out with Drew's daughter.
One of the users of the account, Ms. Grills, a then-18-year-old woman employed by Drew and her husband, has admitted to sending a final, cruel message to Meier while posing as Evans: "The world would be a better place without you. Have a shitty rest of your life." Meier then hanged herself in her bedroom.

Two possible new laws in 2009

...IT'S ABOUT TIME!
A state as beautiful as Massachusetts should have had an anti bullying law a long time ago. Just reading through the brief statement about this possible law (with a cyberbullying clause), gives me the opinion it will be an A++ law, but of course, I must see the text of the law first to make a final judgement. ...Here is the latest google alert about MA's possible law: SCHOOL BULLIES (H 5179) - The House gave initial approval to legislation requiring all public schools to develop and implement a plan to prevent bullying ... To read more go to
http://www.wickedlocal.com/sharon/news/x946492757/Beacon-Hill-Roll-Call

Wisconsin has a good chance this year - Anti-bullying bill gains steam in Wis. Legislature (http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-ap-wi-schoolbullying,0,5847838.story), Chicago Tribune - MADISON, Wis. - An anti-bullying proposal that failed twice in the Legislature has newfound support and a better chance at being passed next year. A special committee of state lawmakers, school district employees, police and others wants to see the law enacted. The group studied school safety for five months this year and recommended that schools either follow state anti-bullying guidelines or come up with their own. It will be up to the Legislature to decide whether to put the recommendation into law.