Mallory's Law Approaching Passing through NJ Legislature

By Lindsey Griffeth

    Getting pushed up against lockers, having threatening messages sent to you and getting laughed at by a group of classmates are things many have experienced in school. But the possibility may soon exist if a freshman gets backed into a wall for not giving up lunch money, the bully’s parents could be forced to cough up more than spare change.   
    Mallory’s Law is a piece of legislation going through the New Jersey state legislature. Its goal is to help ensure parents are making sure their children don't bully others, whether it's online or in person. What the bill proposes to do on top of punishing the offender is fine the child's parents or guardians if he/she is determined to have bullied someone.
     Bullying continues to be a problem in schools, despite the increased attention paid to preventing it, like New Jersey’s harassment, intimidation and bullying (HIB) policy, one of the strictest in the country. Mallory’s Law, named for Mallory Grossman, a 12-year-old who took her life after she was repeatedly bullied, is the first to propose holding parents responsible for bullying committed by their children. 
​    Mallory’s Law could have helped with the recent case of a female student bullied for her religion at the Marine Academy of Science and Technology (MAST) high school in Sandy Hook. She had been harassed by her classmates to the point where she had to leave the school prior to her senior year. Mallory’s Law might have halted the instances that led to her bullying and subsequent transfer. 
      Some people agree with the bill.
    “Parents should be held responsible for their child's actions,” said Wall junior Evan Deangelis. “I think the bill would help.”
   “I think making parents literally pay for their kids actions is harsh and it should be used as a punishment depending on the situation, not an across-the board kinda thing,” said sophomore James Coyle. 
    The general consensus of students is that the law is a good thing, but there are some differing opinions on when a parent should have to pay. 
   Wall Assistant Principal Mr. Kevin Davis said that the law would be likely to help with bullying situations. When asked if he supported the punishment of the parents, he said that it depends on the age of the child and what the situation is. Asked if he thought the bill could be abused in any way, “it's possible but unlikely,” he said. 
    As it moves slowly toward the possibility of being enacted, Mallory’s Law is viewed favorably by students and staff, but it is unknown if it will actually make a difference in decreasing bullying in schools.