Committee backs Sen. Daughtry bill to help ensure safe learning environment for teachers

AUGUSTA — On Tuesday, the Legislature’s Education and Cultural Affairs Committee supported a bill from Sen. Mattie Daughtry, D-Brunswick, to help ensure Maine educators have safe environments to teach in. LD 880, “An Act To Protect School Employees from Workplace Bullying,” received a vote of 7-5. 

“We’ve seen so many headlines over the years about the terrible impact bullying and workplace harassment have on students and adults alike. Teachers are sadly not immune from bullying,” said Sen. Daughtry. “I’m grateful to the committee for backing this bill, which will help educators across our state teach in a safe, supportive environment.”

As amended, LD 880 would require school districts to have internal policies that address and prevent bullying and harassment against educators and school staff.

“This proposal affirms the Legislature’s finding that all students have the right to attend public schools that are safe, secure, and peaceful, but takes the common-sense step to add school employees to this finding,” said Andrew Mason, testifying on behalf of the Maine Education Association in favor of the bill. “As this pandemic has revealed, school employees already deal with and face a number of challenges in performing their job. They should be allowed to work in an environment free from bullying, just as every student has the same right.”

LD 880 now faces votes in the Senate and House.