SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION No. 57

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  OCTOBER 1, 2026

      The Senate Education Committee reports favorably Senate Joint Resolution No. 57.

This joint resolution designates the month of October of each year as “Bullying Prevention Month” in New Jersey.

     Bullying is a type of aggressive conduct in which a person intentionally causes another person discomfort or harm, and can be carried out in verbal and physical forms or through more indirect means such as social media. More than one out of every five American students report that they have been bullied. Additionally, roughly five to 15 percent of students are chronic victims of bullies and seven to 12 percent of students are chronic bullies. Victims of bullies tend to be seen as different from other students, including by height or weight or if they are new to school. Bullies are typically easily angered, act aggressively towards adults, show minimal empathy towards students who they or others victimize, and need to dominate. Parents and schools are encouraged to intervene to stop bullying if they see it, document the behavior they witnessed, and work at providing a supportive network for students who are bullied. Schools are obligated to provide safe spaces for students and send an explicit message that bullying will not be tolerated.

     Parents are encouraged to limit or monitor the use of technology by children to help combat cyberbullying.

      This bill was pre-filed for introduction in the 2026-2027 session pending technical review.  As reported, the bill includes the changes required by technical review, which has been performed.