CARSON CITY (AP) — Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval has signed into law one of his key education initiatives aimed at cutting back school bullying.
The Republican governor approved SB504 on Wednesday while surrounded by students at Carson Middle School.
The bill revises the definition of bullying and creates a new anti-bullying office within the Nevada Department of Education. It would also strengthen reporting requirements for bullying incidents, and create a 24-hour hotline and a website for submitting complaints.
Sandoval also called for $36 million to hire a social worker for every 250 Nevada students, but lawmakers approved less than half of that amount during a Saturday budget hearing amid fears that schools wouldn't be able to hire so many new employees in a short timeframe.
The measure takes effect on July 1.