The House passed a bill that would expand the definition of bullying within public schools. Hannah Knight reports from Jefferson City.
The bill would require Missouri school's anti bullying policy to be printed in the student handbook and also provide educators with the option of taking a suicide prevention course.
St. Louis County Democrat Bob Burns said he understands how important this bill is after sitting on a board of education for twelve years.
"It starts at a very early age kindergarten, sometimes even preschool when a child is picked out girl or boy, they can be bullied through their whole career and I can see how it does drive some children to suicide," he said.
The bill also defines cyberbullying and requires schools to discipline students for participating in it.
The bill now heads to the Senate for final passage and then to the governor.