(AUSTIN) — Anti-cyberbullying supporters are pushing now more than ever for Texas’ 85th Legislative Session to pass David’s Law, otherwise known as Senate Bill 179 and House Bill 306. David’s Law is aimed at preventing and combating cyberbullying. The legislation is named after 16-year-old David Molak, who tragically took his own life in 2016 after relentless cyber-assisted bullying.
Yesterday, the House of Representatives Committee on Public Education voted unanimously to pass HB 306 out of committee – a crucial step in the legislative process. HB 306, filed by Rep. Ina Minjarez, is coauthored by a bipartisan group of 22 Texas representatives.
Just last week, the Senate Committee on State Affairs passed SB 179 out of its own committee. Since this progression in the Senate, Sen. Brandon Creighton and Sen. Donna Campbell joined Sens. Larry Taylor, Sylvia Garcia, Eddie Lucio, and Kirk Watson as co-authors of the bipartisan bill. SB 179 is authored by Sens. José Menéndez and Judith Zaffirini.
David’s Law has been backed by citizens and organizations across the state of Texas, including child psychology experts, multiple public school administrations, family violence protection organizations, and esteemed members of Texas communities.
On behalf of the two bills, Texans have reached out to the legislators who represent them in San Antonio, Houston, Austin, the Dallas-Fort Worth area, and other cities across the state. Over 1,150 individuals have contacted their legislators through links on the David’s Legacy Foundation Facebook page in support of David’s Law for the protection of Texas children—a testament to social media’s potential for positive impacts.
Additional advocates against child cyber-abuse are encouraged to contact their local senators and representatives to ask for support of SB 179 and HB 306 through David’s Legacy Foundation’s Legislative Toolkit online.
David’s Legacy Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to ending cyber-assisted bullying by educating communities about the harmful effects of cyber abuse, providing support for bullying victims, promoting kindness, and supporting legislation that prohibits the cyberbullying of minors. For more information, visit www.davidslegacy.org and www.facebook.com/davidslegacyfoundation.