Breaking: Wasting No Time, Minnesota Governor Signs Historic Anti-Bullying Bill Into Law

Twelve hours of impassioned debate that ended at 12:30 AM resulted in the Democratically-controlled Minnesota House passing what is being described as one of the nation’s strongest anti-bullying bills. Democratic Governor Mark Dayton, who just eleven months ago signed a same-sex marriage bill into law, wasted no time today. Just hours after receiving last night’s bill, Gov. Dayton signed it into law.

“Nobody in this state or nation should have to feel bad about themselves for being who they are,” Gov. Dayton announced as he signed the bill. “This law says not in Minnesota.”

At the Governor’s side were state senator Scott Dibble, who led the fight for the marriage bill and championed the anti-bullying bill, and 11-year old Jake Ross, who was the poster child for this legislation. Ross, who spoke at the bill’s signing, “introduced himself as a Boy Scout and Christian,” the Minnesota Star-Tribune reported.

In a calm articulate speech, Jake, of Forest Lake,  told the crowd of his experience in elementary school. As a seven-year he old, he said, he was threatened, attacked, laughed at and abused by bullies who threatened to kill him.

“Today marks the beginning of a change in thinking about bullying,” Jake said. “I am very happy for this day.”

Jake said his school lacked policies to protect him and he ended up transferring. Now, he said he wishes to tell other children that he understands their struggles.

“I wish you freedom from your pain,” Jake said.

Here, photos from today’s signing.

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Image, top, by Elizabeth Lienesch via Twitter