A new anti-bullying law in a town in metro Buffalo, New York, could land parents in jail, if their child is caught bullying other children.
The North Tonawanda Common Council passed the ordinance last week and hopes the new law will help end bullying by holding parents accountable for their children's behavior, WIVB-TV reported. The law also applies to parents whose children violate the city's curfew.
If a child is found in violation of the new ordinance or city curfew twice in a 90-day period, the parents could pay a $250 fine or spend 15 days in jail, according to WIVB.
The council passed the new law after four teenagers, who were accused of bullying, were kicked out of North Tonawanda Middle School, The Associated Press reported.
Resident Victoria Crago told WIVB that her son was attacked by classmates last June.
“We didn’t feel like maybe anything was being done, and then all of a sudden, I heard about this ordinance going through, so it was shocking and welcomed,” Crago said.
The North Tonawanda mayor Arthur Pappas said the law shows how serious the town is about punishing bullies.
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