New Jersey Assemblyman Alex Sauickie has introduced legislation aimed at strengthening the state’s anti-bullying laws by addressing situations in which multiple students work together to target a classmate.
The proposed bill, A5307, would establish the term “gang bullying” under state law, defining it as coordinated harassment by two or more students that causes physical or emotional harm, disrupts a student’s education, or interferes with their rights at school. Incidents meeting that definition would be investigated under the same procedures currently used for bullying complaints.
“Bullying has changed since these laws were first enacted,” Sauickie said. “Today, students can be targeted by multiple classmates at once through social media, group chats, and coordinated attacks. Schools should have clear authority to address that behavior.”
The legislation also seeks to close a gap in the existing law by clarifying that schools may take action regardless of whether the bullying is connected to a protected characteristic.
“Any parent who has watched their child be singled out by a group knows how painful and frightening this can be,” Sauickie said. “It is not harmless teasing. It is not kids being kids. When multiple students coordinate to humiliate, isolate, or emotionally break down another child, schools should treat it accordingly.”
New Jersey’s Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights Act, signed into law in 2011, is widely regarded as one of the most comprehensive anti-harassment frameworks in the nation. The law requires school districts to maintain bullying prevention programs, designate anti-bullying specialists and coordinators, train staff, investigate complaints, and report incidents to the state.
In 2022, the law was further strengthened with a requirement that all school districts use standardized reporting forms for bullying complaints. Schools are required to begin investigations as quickly as possible and complete them within 10 school days.
Sauickie said the latest proposal is intended to ensure students can learn and participate in school activities without fear of coordinated harassment by their peers.
“This strengthens our anti-bullying laws, supports schools, and sends a clear message: coordinated cruelty has no place in New Jersey classrooms,” he said.
