Senate rejects anti-bullying educational efforts

Intro: An attempt in the Senate to broaden anti-bullying educational requirements led to a discussion on when it's appropriate to teach children about sexual orientation. Matt Tilden (Matt Till-den) has more from the State Capitol. RunTime:
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An amendment to an education bill by Democratic Senator Jolie Justus led to an impassioned debate on the merits of anti-bullying educational programs.

Justus said she believes it is important to protect children from bullying specifically based on race, gender, sexual orientation and other categories.

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Description: There are kids across the state of Missouri who everyday refuse to go to school-who are too scared to get out of their beds- because when they get to school they're going to be called sissy, homo, queer, and you can call me out of order if you need to, but these are acceptable terms. There are students who are not even getting the basic protections from their teachers.

Justus' amendment failed by a vote of 24-9.

From the state Capitol, I'm Matt Tilden.

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Republican Senator Jason Crowell questioned an amendment by Senator Jolie Justus that would require anti-bullying educational programs based on race, gender, sexual orientation and other categories in Missouri schools.

Crowell said he felt the amendment would lead to the teaching of topics such as sexual orientation at too young an age.

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Description:By putting these enumerated categories in and having an educational component, I just really, I don't understand and wouldn't see the significance if we weren't just trying to pass yet another law that might make us feel good but not do anything.