N.J. leaders strike $1 million deal to save anti-bullying law

A bipartisan agreement struck Wednesday by Gov. Chris Christie and legislative leaders in New Jersey will preserve the state’s anti-bullying law.

The law was in danger of being voided on March 27 when a ruling by the state Council on Local Mandates takes effect. The law had been deemed an unconstitutional unfunded mandate.

To prevent that from happening, Christie said $1 million will fund grants for the personnel and training that some districts need to implement the law.

Garden State Equality chairman Steven Goldstein is pleased with the agreement.

“Kids who are bullied have suicidal thoughts from two to nine times more than other kids. This heroic fix that the governor and leaders of both houses in both parties have engineered will save lives,” he said.

Keeping the anti-bullying law in place was the main objective, Christie said.

“In the end, each of us wanted the same thing. To protect the intent of legislation and make sure our students are protected and from having their learning environment compromised in any way,” he said.

Christie said legislative leaders have agreed to move quickly to get the revisions enacted.