A bill co-sponsored by two Greater Danbury area lawmakers has been sent to the Governor for his signature. 

The School Climate and Bullying law makes changes to the school guidelines, including establishing a 33-member social and emotional learning and school climate advisory collaborative.  The group is tasked with directing resources to support statewide and local initiatives aimed at fostering and improving positive school climates.  The law also modifies the definition of bullying by, among other things, eliminating the requirement that the action occur between students. 

The bill was cosponsored by Ridgefield Representative John Frey and Mitch Bolinsky of Newtown.

The new definition of bullying states that it's a direct or indirect act and severe, persistent or pervasive, which causes physical or emotional harm, places an individual in reasonable fear of physical or emotional harm or infringes on the rights or opportunities of an individual at school.

During a meeting of the Connecticut Association of Boards of Education, Bethel Superintendent Christine Carver asked if it applies to action between an adult and a student or between two adults at a school.  CABE official Patrice McCarthy said it would apply in the first case, and they'd have to research if it applies in the second scenario.