NJ passes anti-bullying regulation

By Staff Writer

In recent weeks, the U.S. House of Representatives introduced the Tyler Clementi Higher Education Anti-Harassment Act, which requires all colleges that receive federal aid to amend their harassment policies, as well as provide funding to help schools start anti-bullying programs, the Daily Illini reports.

The bill comes nearly two months after Clementi's death, as well as the many other reportedly bullying-fueled suicides of gay teenagers across the country. New Jersey is currently passing an anti-bullying law through their state legislative system, which is now pressuring the federal government to do the same.

In September, Clementi, a Rutgers University freshman, was involuntarily outed when his roommate broadcast Clementi's sexual encounter with another male live with his webcam. The young adult found out that he had been recorded, and proceeded to complain to his resident adviser and other administrators. A few days later, he posted on his Facebook page, "Jumping off the gw bridge sorry."

The student's former roommate and another girl who was involved have both been charged with invasion of privacy, with the additional possibility of bias crime charges.

Each year, approximately 149,000 youth between the ages of 10 and 24 receive medical care for self-inflicted injuries at emergency departments across the U.S., the Centers for Disease Control and prevention reports.