“David’s Law” soon to be file by State Sen. José Menéndez on Texas
State Sen. José Menéndez announced Tuesday that he plans to file a bill in the next Texas legislative session that would create “David’s Law,” named for the Alamo Heights High School student who recently committed suicide after being bullied on social media.
The family of student David Molak had voiced their intent to push for such a law in the wake of his death. Menéndez, in taking up that cause, said the bill is needed to stop an “epidemic” of harassment on social media.
“I will work with families, school administrators, law enforcement, and others to ensure our schools have the tools they need to keep our students safe and protected from cyberbullying. No student should be afraid to attend class because they were harassed online,” Menéndez said in an email announcing his plans.
Menéndez will host a community workshop on cyberbullying from 7 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the Burnet Center, 406 Barrera St. The workshop will include family members of Matt Vasquez, another cyberbullying victim, as well as law enforcement and school administrators, who will discuss ways to address and prevent cyberbullying.
“Our laws need to keep pace with evolving technology,” Menéndez said. “Students like David Molak and Matt Vasquez were being harassed and threatened on social media, not in the gym locker room. David’s Law will update our anti-bullying laws to incorporate social media. It will also empower law enforcement and school administrators to go after and punish the bullies who prey on students.”
