Minn. Senate panel to vote on anti-bullying bill

A bill that would expand schools' anti-bullying policies goes before a Senate education committee for a vote next week.

The bill sponsored by Democratic Sen. Scott Dibble of Minneapolis lists more than a dozen characteristics that could be targets for harassment. They include sexual orientation, socio-economic status and national origin.

Schools must prohibit bullying in any form, but the only examples now listed are race, religion and gender. Dibble includes more examples so it's clear other forms of bullying won't be tolerated.

But Republican Sen. Gen Olson of Minnetrista questioned the need to list so many characteristics when all bullying is already banned.

The committee is expected to vote on the bill Tuesday.

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