MIAMI – After collaborating with SAVE Dade, Florida Together and other experts, Florida Senator Eleanor Sobel filed Senate Bill 1582 which requires the Department of Education (DOE) to create model “stand alone” policies on bullying and harassment.

“We are delighted to see action and progress on protecting all students from the real threats of school bullying,” said Michael Kenny, Executive Director of Florida Together, a statewide advocacy organization for more than 90 local gay and lesbian organizations. “Florida has an anti-bullying law but this policy and the specifics in the bill will go further and do more,” he said.

Sobel’s proposal will require the model bullying prevention plan created by the DOE to include a designated school employee to serve as a counselor for bullying and harassment incidents.

Many aspects of the DOE plan are modeled after an innovative and effective program that is currently implemented in Miami-Dade schools. That plan, under the direction of Ms. Suzanne Milano-Berrios, Director of Mental Health and Crisis Management Services and School Social Work Services at Miami-Dade Schools, addresses bullying issues including incidents that involve “sexual minorities.”