Pubdate: Sat, 25 Mar 2006 Source: Lexington Herald-Leader (KY) Copyright: 2006 Lexington Herald-Leader Contact: http://www.kentucky.com/mld/heraldleader/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/240 Author: Ryan Alessi Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Testing) BULLY BAN ADDED TO DRUG-TESTING LEGISLATION Democrats Revive Educator-Sponsored Bill Stalled In Senate FRANKFORT -- The House yesterday took another crack at pushing through a bill that's aimed at curbing bullying in schools. The proposal -- sponsored by Rep. Mike Cherry, D-Princeton, and supported by various education groups -- has languished in a Senate committee because some senators have deemed it unnecessary. The bill would require schools to have a plan in place to deal with disruptive students. Many school districts already have enacted such policies. With the original bill stalled, the House tacked the measure onto a bill requiring teachers to take drug tests. That legislation was sponsored by Republican Senate President David Williams. The House overwhelmingly approved the measure with a 91-1 vote. Cherry said the teacher drug testing bill was "an appropriate fit" for the bullying bill because both are meant to ensure student safety. "I hope this will give the Senate an opportunity to be able to consider it," he said of the fact that his proposal was attached to the Senate leader's legislation. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom