Major NJ Anti-Bullying ‘Mallory’s Law’ Hits Statehouse Floor

ROCKAWAY, NJ — Four years into the fight to prevent repeats of her daughter's fate, Dianne Grossman thinks it's time to move past the awareness stage. It's been a long battle to get any law passed that could prevent more parents from losing their children to bullying, but Grossman has a bit of optimism.

The State Assembly will vote Thursday afternoon on "Mallory's Law." Named after Mallory Grossman, who took her own life in 2017, the bill is designed to strengthen and formalize schools' anti-bullying policies. The Senate unanimously passed an identical bill, so a successful Assembly vote will send it to Gov. Phil Murphy's desk.

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"The things that we’ve done, the things that we’ve said have created more awareness, but I think it’s time to turn the page on awareness," Dianne Grossman told Patch. "Instead of being aware that there’s a problem, it’s time to start talking about the things that we’re willing to do with that awareness."

Grossman says the CDC released a report in 2017 about a rise in suicides from teens and tweens. That same year, Mallory — a 12-year-old Copeland Middle School student — ended her life after suffering relentless bullying, according to family.

"Mallory's Law" had the chance to pass in 2019, but it stalled in the Assembly under the powerful influence of the New Jersey Principals and Supervisors Association, Grossman told Patch in 2019. Ultimately, the legislative session expired without action. But it appears New Jersey lawmakers won't let this two-year legislative session end without action.

The bill includes several provisions, including the following:

• Under current cyber-harassment law, a court may order a parent or guardian of a child under 16 to attend classes or training with their kid. Mallory's Law would increase the fines for failing to comply, increasing from $25 to $100 for the first offense and $100 to $500 for each subsequent offense.
• Parents or guardians may face civil liability if they demonstrate "a willful or wanton disregard in the exercise of the supervision and control of a minor adjudicated delinquent of cyber-harassment or harassment."
• The bill formalizes a written process for reporting potential bullying. The school principal must receive the written report within two days of school staff witnessing or receiving "reliable information" of potential harassment, intimidation of bullying (HIB).
• The form must be completed even if the school district determines the report falls outside the HIB scope. But an investigation into the potential violation must be completed as soon as possible and no later than 10 days after receiving the written report.

Grossman calls the bill a "base hit," which she hopes will create greater momentum for reigning in the issue. In the future, she would like to see New Jersey develop a criminal aspect to cyberbullying and see it classified as a hate crime.

"I think people are going to expect more from it than it really is going to give them," Grossman said. "No World Series was won without base hits, so that’s how I look at it."

Grossman believes the public pressure has grown enough that politicians in Trenton faced urgency to take action. And recent allegations of hazing among members of the Wall High School football team may have propelled "Mallory's Law" forward, Grossman says.

"We can’t change what we won’t acknowledge," Grossman said. "Mallory’s Law forces us to acknowledge that we have problems, and now we can deal with them."

Related articles on Wall:

• Wall HS Football Game Cancelled Amid Hazing Probe
• Wall Students Suspended, Hazing Probe Ongoing: Report

"Mallory's Law" coverage:

• 'The Right Kid Hasn't Died Yet:' The Fight To Pass Mallory's Law
• 6 Of The Most Disturbing Claims In NJ Bullying Death Lawsuit
• 1 Year Later, Mallory Grossman Lives On In Anti-Bullying Efforts
• Mallory Grossman's Mom Shares Painful New Bullying Details
• Bullying Of Mallory Grossman, 12, Detailed In Wrongful Death Suit
• 'Mallory's Army' Fights Back Against Bullying After 12-Year-Old's Sudden Death