Matt's Safe School law revisions create stir among legislators

Take out a piece of paper. Crumble it up, stomp on it, really mess it up but don't rip it. Unfold that piece of paper. Smooth it out and look at how scarred and dirty it is. Apologize to it and try to fix it. Does that heal some of those scars?

It doesn't. This is what happens when a person is bullied. You call them names and taunt them, maybe even push them around. Although you can't see those scars, they're there and they never go away.

Prevention of this very situation is what Kevin Epling sought out to do when creating Matt's Law, which was named after his son committed suicide after being bullied. Now, almost a decade later, the legislation has finally passed through the Senate.

So why isn't Kevin Epling happy?

He says the added language will allow anyone to bully a student and cite their religious beliefs as reason.

The language being referred to is a clause that states: "This section does not prohibit a statement of a sincerely held religious belief or moral conviction of a school employee, school volunteer, pupil or a pupil's parent or guardian."

Revision of the bill has also taken out "cyberbullying," limiting the jurisdiction to school and telecomunications.

Though some people are outraged, Sen. Gretchen Whitmer, D-Lansing, is especially upset about the bill.

"The saddest and sickest irony of this whole thing is that its called Matt's Safe School Law and after the way that you've gutted it, it wouldn't have done a d-- thing to save Matt," Whitmer says to Republican Senators.

Epling says: "This is just unconscionable. This is government-sanctioned bigotry."

Republicans argue that all students would be equally protected by this bill but Democrats argue that the change of language has turned the bill into "a Republicans' pass to bully."


"Your exceptions have swallowed the rule," Whit er said. "As passed today, bullying kids is OK if a student, parent, teacher or school employee can come up with a moral or religious reason for doing it."

Since its approval, there has been an outpouring of support for Whitmer's stand against the Republicans' pro-bullying legislation from across the country and around the world.

Whitmer's YouTube video has quickly gone past 11,000 views along with hundreds of comments in support. She has already received e-mails of support from people in 19 states, including California, Colorado, Georgia and New York as well as British Columbia, England, Spain and France.


To give your opinion or show support, send emails to or letters to P.O. Box 30036 Lansing, Mich., 48909-7536.