The Florida Senate unanimously passed a bill giving schools more power to punish students for "cyber-bullying" on Monday. The bill redefines the term "bullying" to include inflicting emotional pain as well as physical abuse.
Senator Dwight Bullard, the bill’s sponsor, says that in a world with Facebook, Twitter, and other social media, it's easier than ever to pick on a classmate.
"No longer is it a schoolyard issue", Bullard said. "This is an issue in which a student who may have been harassed by a few students five or ten years ago, is now being victimized by thousands of students."
The bill passed in the House earlier this month, and now heads to Governor Rick Scott for his signature. If signed by the governor, the bill would take effect July 1st.