ATLANTA - Cyndie Westrich is on a mission to eliminate bullying from Georgia public schools. But she has encountered what she claims is a new adversary in her quest: House Bill 1321. However, others think HB 1321 is just a "common sense measure."

Westrich, a licensed professional counselor and east Cobb mother, wrote the proposal for Senate Bill 461, which would enact stricter penalties for bullies throughout Georgia schools.

Both bills are aimed at reducing bullying in schools; however, Westrich, who has been in private practice since 1999, said that HB 1321 would undo much of what she hoped to accomplish.

"This bill discourages children from being able to make reports about child abuse. Further, it limits the press from being able to report and investigate," she wrote yesterday to Sen. Chip Rogers (R-Woodstock). Rogers introduced Westrich's anti-bullying legislation in the Senate.

He said he is not familiar with HB 1321, but continues to "fully support" SB 461.

Westrich believes the House bill would keep students from reporting incidents of abuse to law enforcement officers outside the school. Currently, local law officers can't intervene in school cases, because a school's campus police have the first line of jurisdiction, she said.

Westrich also said if a child reports abuse, but the allegations are found to be untrue, the child would then be punished for his or her claims. The penalties could keep families from taking unproven claims to the press for outside investigation, she said.

But others think differently.

Rep. Ed Setzler (R-Acworth), who voted in favor of HB 1321, said it is a "common sense measure" that helps children understand the ramifications of false statements.

"False allegations by children often have a severely negative impact on the adults who are falsely accused," said Setzler via e-mail on Wednesday afternoon. "I personally see it as a needed measure to help protect adults who work around adolescents and see it having no chilling impact on students with legitimate claims."

According to the bill, possible punishments for false claims include community service, expulsion, or suspension.

Westrich said she hopes the House takes up her bill before the legislative session ends.

Friday will be the last day of the legislature's 40-day calendar.

According to the House Rules calendar, the Senate read HB 1321 for a second time on Tuesday. Although the bill was on the calendar for yesterday, late in the day, the bill had not been reached. It could appear before the Senate on Friday.

On Wednesday afternoon, SB 461 was sitting in the House rules committee. It could appear in the House on Friday.

efarnsworth@mdjonline.com

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