The bullying started Kyrstin Schuette's sophomore year at Anoka High School when a fellow choir member stole her cellphone and sent out private photos of Schuette and her girlfriend to other students.

Schuette had not told her classmates -- let alone her family -- that she was bisexual. And the news spread quickly, as did the harassment and taunts in school and outside through social media. An upperclassman threw Gatorade on her and called her a "sinner." Nothing was done, Schuette said. She ended up dropping out her senior year and tried to commit suicide.

The now 20-year-old told state lawmakers her story on Thursday, Feb. 28, urging them to support a bill that would strengthen Minnesota's anti-bullying law. The law, at just 37 words, is one of the shortest anti-bullying laws in the nation and only requires school districts to enact their own local bullying prevention policies.

The bill's backers include educators, pediatricians, gay rights activists and advocates for the disabled.

"I think it would send a message to students and help them feel like they're important and cared about," Schuette said. "And it gives teachers and parents the tools and resources to effectively handle the situations."

But some Republican lawmakers question the need or efficacy of putting such a law in place, arguing it would just be another added layer of bureaucracy that would likely do little to combat bullying. Others raised concerns that the legislation could impose values and beliefs, particularly on homosexuality and family structure, which some parents may not agree with. Private schools would also have to adhere to the law if they accept state funds.

"I believe it focuses not on the behavior of the bully, but diversity and changing beliefs and attitudes in our schools," said Tom Prichard, president of the Minnesota Family Council.

The bill had its first hearing in the House Education Policy Committee. It requires school districts to work with students and parents on policies to prevent bullying, investigate all formal complaints of bullying and keep detailed records of bullying to help improve school safety. It also sets aside $1 million for a school climate center run by the state education department to help schools develop those policies. It is modeled after recommendations issued last year from a task force of more than a dozen educators and lawmakers.

Schuette was one of six students who filed a federal lawsuit in 2011 against the Anoka-Hennepin school district, saying they endured gay bullying at school. The suit garnered national attention and was settled last year with a historic decree forcing the district to adopt a litany of practices aimed at making its schools more LGBT friendly and harassment-free.

One mother talked about how bullying caused her son to commit suicide. Jake Ross, 10, recalled how bullies three years ago hit him repeatedly and stole his belongings and no one helped him. He now attends a new school. And Julie Hertzog shared how difficult harassment is particularly for kids with disabilities, who are three times more likely to be bullied.

Adults need to acknowledge that bullying is an issue and it's our responsibility to deal with it, said Eugene Piccolo, executive director of the Minnesota Association of Charter Schools. The law addresses prevention, giving teachers and administrators the training they need, he said, particularly for cyberbullying.

"It is much more damaging than being called names on the schoolyard," Piccolo said. "What is put on social media and the Internet is permanent. It's a lasting record of the bullying."

Katherine Kersten, a senior fellow at the conservative Center for the American Experiment, argued that anti-bullying legislation isn't driven by a dramatic increase in bullying. Instead, it's trying to push a political and social agenda some families don't agree with, particularly homosexuality and gay marriage, she said.

She said the bill also allows anyone to claim they are a victim of bullying and would protect certain classes of students more than others, particularly on sexually orientation.

"It would send the message to students in protected groups that they have an absolute right not to have their feelings hurt or their views challenged," Kersten said. 
