Senate Republicans Fight Back Against Bullying in K-12 Schools with "Andrew's Law"
- Arizona Senate Republicans
- Mar 10
- 2 min read
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, March 10, 2025
Senate Republicans Fight Back Against Bullying
in K-12 Schools with "Andrew's Law"
PHOENIX, ARIZONA— A bill designed to fight back against bullying in Arizona's K-12 schools is being considered in the House after passing the Senate with full Republican support last week.
"Andrew's Law," also known as SB 1508, was inspired by Andrew Harstad, a Hamilton High student who took his own life in 2022 after being relentlessly bullied at school. His family filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Chandler Unified School District, but a judge ruled the school district could not be held liable for the suicide under state law, despite school administrators being contacted more than a dozen times about the bullying to no avail.
Sponsored by Senator Shawnna Bolick, Andrew's Law requires a school district governing board to adopt specific definitions on bullying, cyberbullying, harassment, and intimidation. The definitions must be included within district policies and procedures to prohibit these detrimental behaviors within Arizona's schools, on school property, within school busses and at bus stops, at school-sponsored events, and through the use of technology or electronic communications.
"The bullying Andrew endured is becoming more common among our youth, and as a result, victims are seeing no other options than to take their own lives to end the suffering. This crisis has only gotten worse with the evolution of cell phones and social media," said Senator Bolick. "We continue to hear these tragic stories where bullying goes well beyond name calling. This nationwide problem wreaks havoc on a child's physical, emotional, and psychological wellness. It's time school districts in Arizona adopt standardized policies with preventative measures and interventions to protect Arizona's youth. Clearly defining what bullying actually entails is a step in the right direction to ensure student safety, both on and off campus."
In 2023, bullying and social media allegedly contributed to the death of 16-year-old Preston Lord, whose life was taken away by a gang known as the "Gilbert Goons" during a Halloween party in Queen Creek, according to law enforcement. In 2024, Westar Elementary, in the Liberty School District, made headlines after an 11-year-old boy was allegedly punched several times by another student, leaving him with cuts and swelling on his face.
"These cases are just a snapshot of the devastating harm bullying inflicts. A national survey indicates 44% of parents enrolled their students in a new K-12 school because of safety and bully-related concerns at their previous school," said Senator Bolick. "Parents should not have to uproot their children out of fear simply because administrators are not properly addressing the problems of bullying and cyberbullying. SB 1508 is the catalyst needed to ensure school districts are doing their jobs to mitigate this bad behavior.
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For more information, contact:
Kim Quintero
Director of Communications | Arizona State Senate Republican Caucus
Thank you for taking up this cause and supporting Arizona families. Public schools need to always be a place of safety for everyone.
What this family has had to endure needs to stop.
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