A bill that would require Missouri school districts to meet new state requirements for anti-bullying policies is moving to the Senate.
The measure to require school anti-bullying policies include procedures for reporting, investigating and responding to bullying passed the House on Monday by a vote of 121-33.
State law already requires school districts to have a policy on bullying.
The bill lays out more detailed guidelines, including expanding when an employee should report bullying. The measure would also require a formal policy on cyberbullying.
Some Democrats against the bill say it does not do enough because it does not allow district policies to protect specific classes of students, such as lesbian, bisexual, gay and transgender students.
Supporters say every student should be treated equally to prevent any bullying.