California Assembly Member Mike Eng

Larry's Law: Safe & Hate-Free Schools

(Sacramento) - There’s no place for hate on a school campus. With that sentiment in mind, Assembly Member Mike Eng has authored Assembly Bill 2762.  It's been nicknamed “Larry’s Law” in memory of 14-year-old Larry King of Oxnard, a gay 8th grader, who was murdered in his classroom by his classmate. Police believe it was a hate crime. The goal of Assembly Member Eng's bill, AB 2762 is to make sure all children in California schools are safe and free from hate, intimidation, harassment, and violence by ensuring that school personnel are equipped with the necessary prevention and educational tools.  More details on the proposed law are available in this Assembly Web Report.

Hate Crimes on the Rise

(Sacramento) -- Recent studies show hate crimes, especially those focused on gays and lesbians, are on the rise in California. As we learn in this Assembly Web Report the Assembly Select Committee on Hate Crimes was told during a special informational hearing this week more and more of the hate crimes are taking place in public places.

Voice Your Support for AB 2762

Summary

AB 2762 seeks to provide all children in California with a school environment that is safe and free from hate, intimidation, harassment, and violence by ensuring that school officials have a variety of ways to identify and mediate problems before they manifest themselves into acts of hate and violence.

The Proposal

Specifically, AB 2762 would accomplish this by establishing uniform, statewide reporting protocols for all school personnel when made aware that a student has been threatened.

Take Action

• Downloadable Support Letter for AB 2762 (PDF)

Background

On February 12, 2008, Larry King, a gay eighth-grader at E.O. Green Junior High School in Oxnard, was shot twice in the head and murdered in his class room by another student.  His sexual orientation is believed to have been a factor in the case.  Some students at the Oxnard junior high school had seen King teased by students in the weeks before the shooting for being gay and wearing feminine accessories.  The anti-gay taunts and slurs that King endured from his male peers apparently had been constant.

Over the past few years, California has experienced an alarming increase in bias-motivated incidents in public schools.  Studies of school safety conducted by the California Department of Education reveal that students who were harassed based on actual or perceived sexual orientation were five times more likely be threatened or injured with a weapon.  In addition, according to a 2007 GenderPAC report, 90% of youth and young adults targeted in fatal assaults because of their gender identity and expression were males who looked or acted femininely.

Although the Hueneme Elementary School District has programs in place to deal with bullying, it just wasn’t enough to prevent the King tragedy from occurring.  AB 2762 takes the next step by requiring all school personnel to report to the principal or superintendent all known threats of harm that have been made to a student on school campuses.  The principal or superintendent would then be charged with the responsibility of immediately assessing, investigating and resolving the matter before anything tragic occurs.  Such actions include meeting with the students involved, discussing this issue with their parents, and/or involving local law enforcement. 

As California grows more diverse, inter-group tensions will continue to rise in many communities and will inevitably affect public schools.  Hate and bias must be addressed by our public education system in order to preserve a safe learning environment.  This bill takes a big step toward that goal by ensuring that school officials are equipped to take appropriate actions in helping mediate problems before they turn into violence and hate.

Staff Contact:  If you would like to support this bill or need additional information, please contact Annie Lam in Assemblymember Mike Eng’s office at (916) 319-2049 or Annie.Lam@asm.ca.gov

Learn More

• Eng's School Threats Bill Passes (Pasadena Star-News)
• Eng's school bill clears hurdle (San Gabriel Valley Tribune)
• Larry's Law Passes Out Of First Policy Committee
• Assemblymember Mike Eng Discusses Hate Crimes Against LGBT Individuals in This Week's Democratic Weekly Radio Address
• Assemblymember Mike Eng  proposes tolerance-prompting bill (Video)
• Tolerance Classes Could Be OK'd After Teen Shot During School (KNBC.com)
• Assemblymember Eng And Civil Rights Groups To Hold Press Event In Response To The Brutal Murder Of Lawrence King