Governor Warner Signs Legislation

Adrianna with Governor Mark R. Warner immediately following
his signing of HB2266 on April 5, 2005

In my capacity as Executive Director of the Virginia Chapter of Bully Police USA, I was instrumental in assisting Delegate Rob Bell in the initiation, lobbying, and passage of two anti-bullying bills which will help protect the children of Virginia from bullying.

In October 2004 I began working in tandem with Delegate Robert B. Bell of the Virginia Legislature; and the facts, figures, research, and proposed language I presented him were the catalyst for creating two anti-bullying bills, HB2226 and HB2267. I lobbied extensively in Richmond in support of both bills and testified during the committee hearings.

I'm pleased to report that both of these bills have now been passed, and I was privileged to attend the ceremonial signing of HB2266 by Governor Mark R. Warner on April 5, 2005. HB2267 had been signed previously.

I am so excited and grateful to have been able to help get this legislation created and passed to help protect the children of Virginia.

Adrianna Sgarlata
asgarlata@hotmail.com
703-503-6671 Home Office & Voice Mail

Adrianna with Virginia Governor Mark R. Warner and Delegate Joseph P. Johnson

Governor Mark Warner:

"FIRST OF ALL, LET ME THANK DELEGATE BELL AND DELEGATE JOHNSON FOR LEADING THE EFFORT ON THIS LEGISLATION. AND A PARTICULAR THANKS TO ADRIANNA WHO I KNOW AS A YOUNG PERSON LOBBIED VERY HARD TO MAKE SURE THIS BILL BECAME LAW. THE FACT IS, THERE IS NO PLACE FOR BULLYING IN OUR SCHOOL SYSTEM. WE'VE GOT TO MAKE SURE THAT ALL OF OUR KIDS GET TREATED FAIRLY AND THE KIND OF IDEA IN THE PAST THAT YOU COULD SIMPLY TURN A BLIND EYE TO THIS KIND OF BEHAVIOR IS JUST NOT ACCEPTABLE. AND I AGAIN JUST WANT TO THANK ROB BELL AND JOE JOHNSON FOR BEING WILLING TO PICK UP THIS MANTLE PIECE AND THIS IMPORTANT IDEA AND GET IT THROUGH THE LEGISLATION. I KNOW IT HAD OVERWHELMING SUPPORT AND MY HOPE IS THE KIND OF INCIDENTS WE ALL HEARD ABOUT... WHETHER WE SAW IT IN THE PAPER OR SAW IT IN OUR OWN INDIVIDUAL LIVES GROWING UP IS JUST NOT GOING TO BE ACCEPTABLE BEHAVIOR IN SCHOOLS ACROSS VIRGINIA. AND FOR THAT, EVERYBODY WHO WAS PART OF THIS SHOULD BE VERY, VERY PROUD."

Adrianna with Governor Mark R. Warner ~ Adrianna received one of the pens
used during the ceremonial signing of HB2266.

Adrianna with Virginia Delegate Rob Bell and a young survivor of bullying and fellow supporter of HB2266 and HB2267

Adrianna with (left to right) Peter L. Sheras, Ph.D, (University of Virginia), Chris and Kim Brancato and their Children, Delegate Robert B. Bell, Governor Mark R. Warner, and Delegate Joseph P. Johnson, all supporters of HB2266 and HB2267.

Adrianna with Delegate Robert B. Bell on the occasion of their first meeting to discuss anti-bullying legislation to protect the children of Virginia

Letter from Delegate Rob Bell detailing Adrianna's contribution toward crafting and advocating for the anti bullying legislation HB2266 and HB2267.

HB 2266 Character education; harassment prevention required.
Robert B. Bell

Summary as passed:
School boards; policies on bullying. Directs the Board of Education to include bullying in its standards for school board policies on student conduct and requires school boards to include (i) instruction on the inappropriateness of bullying in their character education programs and (ii) bullying provisions in their student conduct codes. In addition, the measure requires the reporting of incidents of stalking to principals and division superintendents. Finally, except as may be prohibited by federal law, regulation, or jurisprudence, principals must report certain violent acts, stalking, and other conduct to parents of the minor student who is the target of the conduct; included in this report is disclosure that the incident has been reported to law enforcement, and that the parent may contact law enforcement for further information.

House Bill 2266 - Click here for the full text of the bill.

HB 2267 Harassment; immunity for any school
employee or volunteer who reports incident.
Robert B. Bell

Summary as passed:
Civil immunity; school employees or volunteers reporting alleged acts of bullying or crimes. Immunizes school employees or volunteers from civil liability for the prompt good faith reporting to the appropriate school official, in compliance with specified procedures, of any alleged acts of bullying or any crimes.

House Bill 2267 – Click here for the full text of the bill.