A new law that treats bullying the same as harassment has begun to take effect across the state.
Schools must now investigate bullying more aggressively. At least two staff members have to be designated in every school to handle complaints of harassment or bullying.
Ken Page is Executive Director of the Vermont Principal’s Association, explains the rules:
"I’ve got within 24 hours to begin an investigation. And that could be as simple as, I call the kids down and I find out what happened. And I take, you know, a written statement about what happened. But I really look into it."
School employees have also been getting training on how to investigate accusations. The Vermont Human Rights Commission says teachers are now expected to be trained investigators, as well as educators.