Assemblyman Alex Sauickie has introduced legislation to update New Jersey’s Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights Act by addressing incidents in which multiple students coordinate to target another student.

“Bullying has changed since these laws were first enacted,” Sauickie said. “Today, students can be targeted by multiple classmates at once through social media, group chats and coordinated attacks. Schools should have clear authority to address that behavior.”

The bill (A5307) would establish “gang bullying” under state law, defining it as coordinated harassment by two or more students that causes physical or emotional harm, disrupts a student’s education, or interferes with a student’s rights at school. Schools would investigate those incidents under existing procedures.

The legislation also clarifies that schools may respond regardless of whether the conduct is tied to a protected characteristic, closing a gap in the existing law.

“Any parent who has watched their child be singled out by a group knows how painful and frightening this can be,” Sauickie said. “It is not harmless teasing. It is not kids being kids. When multiple students coordinate to humiliate, isolate or emotionally break down another child, schools should treat it accordingly.”

New Jersey’s Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights Act was signed into law in 2011 with bipartisan support and established one of the nation’s most comprehensive school harassment prevention frameworks. The law requires school districts to maintain prevention programs, designate specialists and coordinators, train school personnel, investigate complaints and report incidents to the state.

The law was further strengthened in 2022 when the state required all school districts to use standardized reporting forms for complaints. Schools must investigate reported incidents as soon as possible and no later than 10 school days.

“Students should be able to go to school, participate in activities and use technology without fear that a group of classmates is working together to make their life miserable,” Sauickie said. “This strengthens our anti-bullying laws, supports schools and sends a clear message: coordinated cruelty has no place in New Jersey classrooms.”