TRENTON, N.J. – New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie knew what it was like to be bullied as a child because of his weight. With that background and the recent suicide of gay Rutgers University student Tyler Clementi, Christie is taking action in his state by signing into law the toughest anti-bullying bill in the country.

The bill mandates anti-bullying programs in all public schools and also makes all public colleges in the state write in a code of conduct to address bullying. The new bill is an update on an already existing law that has been on the book since 2001.

Garden State Equality Chairman Steven Goldstein says the new bill will help gay and lesbian students who feel threatened in school by bullies who use intimidation tactics.

“This is no overstatement. Today is one of the most important civil-rights days in New Jersey history,” said Goldstein. “Gov. Christie signed a law that is so different and so much better than anti-bullying laws that exist elsewhere across the country, that it’s stunning.”

The new bill also includes training for teachers and administrators in schools and discipline for those authority figures that do not report abuse to police or school safety officers.