Dayton set to announce anti-bullying executive order

Gov. Mark Dayton's office is finalizing an executive order addressing bullying in Minnesota's schools, the governor's spokeswoman Katie Tinucci confirmed on Monday.

According to two sources familiar with the project, but who asked not to be identified, the order will create a task force charged with making recommendations on what the state can do to prevent bullying. The creation of the group will be announced on Tuesday.

Minnesota's current bullying law is one of the nation's weakest. It only requires school districts to have a bullying prevention policy, but provides little guidance on what those policies should include.

Last week, Attorney General Lori Swanson announced separately that she will push for anti-bullying legislation next year.