Governor Signs Seth's Law

Governor Brown approved a bill named in honor of Seth Walsh, a 13 year old who hung himself after years of anti-gay harassment while a student in the Tehachapi Unified School District in Kern County.

The law, which goes into effect on January 1, 2012, creates uniform anti-bullying standards, requires teachers who witness harassment to intervene, and establishes procedures for students and parents to file complaints.

In a recent national survey, 9 out of 10 LGBT students reported being harassed at school. The problem persists in California. The California Safe Schools Coalition reported in 2010 that 42% of California students who identify as lesbian, gay or bisexual and 62% who identify as transgender reported being harassed at least once based on gender non-conformity.