Audrie Pott Death Cited In Cyber-Bullying Law Proposed by Assemblywoman Cristina Garcia

California State Assembly Member Cristina Garcia as introduced AB 256 in Sacramento. Randy Economy Photo.

Assemblywoman Cristina Garcia announced on Monday that she will be pushing for a law that will close loopholes dealing with student cyber- bullying as result of the recent death of teenager Audrie Pott.

Pott took her own life after three teen boys allegedly committed sexual battery at a co-ed sleepover party and distributing a photograph of the incident on social media sites.

Garcia told Los Cerritos Community Newspaper that Assembly Bill 256 will be getting its first test before Sacramento lawmakers at a hearing on May 8^th.

“As a teacher, I have seen the damage done to the physical and mental health of victims of bullying. Since I introduced this bill in January, we have seen the shocking consequences nationally, culminating in the recent tragic suicide of Audrie Potts in Saratoga,” Garcia said.

According to Assembly member Garcia current law “is silent on cyber-bullying, where offending students use computers, smartphones and social media to perpetuate harassing and threatening behavior, at any time, away from the school campus.”

“My legislation is intended to reach beyond the schoolyard to stop bullying, wherever or whenever it occurs,” Garcia said, “Bullying is unacceptable behavior that should not be tolerated in any way, shape or form, including harassment and humiliation through electronic communications,” she added.

Currently, bullying is described as “harassment or threats that are used to intimidate students, disrupt the classroom, invade the right of the students and create a hostile educational environment.”

Garcia pointed out that “students in grades 4-12 can be suspended or expelled if the bullying occurs while traveling to and from school, on campus during school hours or during or traveling to a school sponsored activity.”

Garcia cited that current law does not provide that a student who bullies will be suspended or expelled for their behavior, unless the act is related to a school activity or school attendance.  She sees her legislation as closing large loophole in a law that was written before the explosive growth of electronic devices and instant communication.

“As we have seen, in what should be the safety of their own home, a bullied student is still vulnerable to attack. Once cyber-bullying is discovered in a text, email, or in any form, this law will remove legal barriers for school officials to pursue bullies and protect the lives of our students.” ” Garcia concluded.

Garcia represents a wide swatch of South East Los Angeles County stretching from Bell Gardens to the Cerritos and Norwalk area.

Related articles

• Cyber Bullying
• School Denies Audrie Pott Reported Bullying

MED PRIDE Non Latex Gloves Medium Disposable Non Sterile Powder Free Exam Gloves Vinyl Nitrile Blend Rubber Free Single Use for Nurses Medical 100 Count

(44846)

$8.67 (as of May 4, 2025 06:28 GMT -07:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)

Seagate (Recertified Exos X 28TB Internal Hard Drive HDD - 3.5 in CMR SATA 6Gb/s, 7200 RPM, 512MB Cache, 2.5M MTBF…

(19)

$349.99 (as of May 4, 2025 17:24 GMT -07:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)

BETHEGIFT Funny Card for Mom from Daughter, Son, Kids on Mothers Day - Heartfelt Message to Mother, Perfect for Birthday,…

(27)

$7.95 (as of May 4, 2025 17:24 GMT -07:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)

Amazon Basics 99% Isopropyl Alcohol First Aid For Technical Use,16 Fluid Ounces, 1-Pack (Previously Solimo)

(22879)

$8.38 (as of May 4, 2025 06:28 GMT -07:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)

Fit Simplify Resistance Loop Exercise Bands with Instruction Guide and Carry Bag, Set of 5

(128954)

$9.98 (as of May 4, 2025 06:28 GMT -07:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)

Callaway Golf Supersoft Golf Balls

(11512)

$24.97 (as of May 4, 2025 06:28 GMT -07:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)

Apple iPad (10.2-Inch, Wi-Fi, 32GB) - Space Gray (Renewed)

(12625)

$126.00 (as of May 4, 2025 06:28 GMT -07:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)

Amazon Basics High Density Foam Roller for Exercise and Recovery

(113467)

$18.99 (as of May 4, 2025 06:28 GMT -07:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)

Reusable Snack Containers with Lids 20Pcs,New Snack Containers,Snackle Box Container Portion Control,Snack Pack…

(1)

$7.99 (as of May 4, 2025 17:24 GMT -07:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)

AIPER Cordless Robotic Pool Cleaner, WavePath Navigation, Wall-Climbing, Quad-Motor, 150 mins Runtime for Inground Pools up to 1,600 sq.ft, ZT6002…

$399.99 (as of May 4, 2025 17:24 GMT -07:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)