By Tiffany Williams –
PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Rhode Island lawmakers are moving to tackle identity-based bullying in schools with a new restorative justice program introduced by House Deputy Majority Whip Mia A. Ackerman. The legislation, House Bill 2026-H 7114, would require students found to have engaged in bullying based on religion, sexual orientation, or ethnicity to complete up to 10 hours of community service aimed at educating them and preventing future incidents.
“Bullying in all forms is awful, but it is even more heinous when it’s based on personal identity. Attacking someone because of their race, religion or sexual orientation is hateful, plain and simple,” Ackerman said. “We need to do more than just tell students this behavior is unacceptable: we need to show them why discrimination is so harmful and provide an opportunity for them to learn.”
Under the bill, schools or juvenile hearing boards could assign targeted community service, such as volunteering at a Holocaust museum for students who bullied someone for their Jewish identity, or at organizations like Youth Pride for bullying based on sexual orientation. The service would need to be completed within three months and would not be considered a criminal penalty.
Supporters of the legislation say the program is designed to go beyond punishment, teaching students the real-world consequences of discrimination while helping to deter future bullying in Rhode Island schools.