Following the tragic suicide of 13-year-old Jacobe Taras, who was a victim of school bullying, his parents are urging New York lawmakers to enact legislation requiring schools to notify parents when a child is being bullied.
Richard and Christine Taras’ call for change has garnered support from both Republican and Democratic legislators, including Republican state Sen. Jim Tedisco, who believes such a law could prevent similar tragedies.
Despite the bipartisan support, the legislation has sparked concerns about potentially harmful outcomes for vulnerable students, especially LGBTQ kids.
Democratic Assemblyman Danny O’Donnell opposes the bill, suggesting that it could unintentionally out LGBTQ students against their wishes. Instead, O’Donnell advocates for broader mental health and suicide prevention initiatives.
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