Westchester Assemblywoman Amy Paulin has introduced legislation designed to combat bullying in schools. The bill requires that school administrators report all cases of school bullying.

It   also creates the crime of Aggravated Harassment of Teachers and School Personnel and requires that students be educated about the effects of bullying.

Under the measure, a school must create a code of conduct specifically identifying and prohibiting both conventional and cyber-bullying which, according to the U.S. Justice Department, is at an all-time high. An estimated 43% of teenagers report they have been victims of cyber-bullying.

Said Paulin, "Kids do better in school when they don't have to worry about being bullied." She added, "Requring that every school specifically identify and prohibit bullying will make schools safer for our children."

Eastchester School Superintendent Dr. Marilyn Terranova is giving the legislation a thumbs-up. She says Eastchester is looking to step up their anti-bullying initiatives through preventative education. She says in October 2010, the school district plans to implement "Rachel's Challenge," a nationally recognized program that promotes kindness and compassion.

She says Assemblywoman Paulin's bill will help solve a problem prevalent in schools across the country--bullying." Terranova added, "This includes cyber-bullying, which has become more widespread."