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Lawmakers drag their feet on bullying

WIVB.com

Posted by: Eli George

Updated: Jan 26, 2012 6:44 PM

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Erie County lawmakers took up a proposal to make cyberbullying a crime. They debated the measure on Thursday at County Hall.

Months after the cyber-bullying law was introduced in Erie County, it is yet to be passed. Some lawmakers are unhappy with some language inside of this bill. They want more protection for adults who fall victim to cyberbullying. Legislator Ed Rath is at the helm of this bill and is becoming increasingly frustrated.

"We made the changes last November to meet the Democrats' first set of concerns and now they have a second set of concerns and I'm growing impatient, that's for sure," said Rath.

This is now his third setback. The second time this revised bill came up for public discussion, he was the only speaker. Given that, Rath thought it would be smooth sailing from there.

Rath said, "Unfortunately, we do not have complete 100 percent agreement as yet, so it's not today and I'm disappointed because it's high time that Erie County get this local law passed."

The bill was drawn up just months after Williamsville North High School student, Jamey Rodemeyer, took his own life, the end result after years of relentless bullying.

Legislator Timothy Hogues said, "At the end of last year, former Erie County legislator Daniel Kozub proposed a bill limiting where sex offenders could work. That bill has also been held up in committee."

Our story about two registered sex offenders running a haunted house was the catalyst for the law's introduction. But Hogues says the original bill puts too many restrictions on employment and is discriminatory.

"We want to make sure we're protecting the children and any citizens from any alleged offenders and stuff like that, but we want to make sure we're doing it the right way," explained Hogues.

The bill will be up for discussion at the next committee meeting.

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