Elizabeth Family Advances Anti-Bullying Law for Private Schools

New Jersey lawmakers unanimously advanced anti-bullying protections for private school students this week, driven in part by testimony from Elizabeth residents Elizabeth and Bill Reid. The parents, who lost their son Jack to suicide four years ago, asked members of the Assembly Education Committee to advance the "Jack Reid Law: Protect All Students Act" to the Assembly floor.

The bill would require all private schools in New Jersey to adopt anti-bullying policies that match protections already required in public schools. Currently, public school students across New Jersey have statewide anti-bullying protections. Private school students do not.

Jack Reid was a 17-year-old junior at the Lawrenceville School when he died by suicide in 2022. At the time of his death, peers were yelling taunts outside his dorm room after another student spread baseless rumors. The Lawrenceville School later acknowledged that bullying and unkind behavior, and actions taken or not taken by the school, likely contributed to Jack's death. Jack never learned he had been exonerated of the false accusation.

Elizabeth Reid testified to the committee: "Our boy died never knowing that he had been completely cleared."

Bill Reid noted that public school students already have statewide protections, while private school students do not. Only seven states currently have similar mandated protections for children in both public and private schools. "New Jersey can be the eighth," he said.

Assemblywoman Dawn Fantasia, a former school principal, noted that the Jack Reid Law could strengthen New Jersey's approach to anti-bullying by addressing gaps in current protections for public schools as well.

Since their son's death, Elizabeth and Bill Reid have launched the Jack Reid Foundation to advocate for fostering a culture of kindness, empathy, and respect in educational environments. Their advocacy effort reflects a broader movement to protect all students from harm.

FAQ

Q: What is the Jack Reid Law?

A: The "Jack Reid Law: Protect All Students Act" would require all private schools in New Jersey to adopt anti-bullying policies. It addresses a gap where public school students have statewide protections but private school students do not.

Q: Why did New Jersey lawmakers advance this bill?

A: The bill was advanced in part due to testimony from Elizabeth residents Elizabeth and Bill Reid, whose son Jack died by suicide in 2022 after experiencing bullying and harassment at a private school.

Q: Who is Jack Reid?

A: Jack Reid was a 17-year-old junior at the Lawrenceville School in Morris County. He died by suicide in 2022. The school later acknowledged that bullying and unkind behavior likely contributed to his death.

Q: What happened to Jack Reid at his school?

A: Jack faced harassment and taunts from peers based on baseless rumors spread by other students. He was never told he had been exonerated of the false accusations before his death.

Q: How is the Jack Reid Law different from current anti-bullying protections?

A: Current New Jersey law requires public schools to have anti-bullying policies. The Jack Reid Law would extend the same requirement to private schools, ensuring all students have equal protection.

Q: What does the Assembly Education Committee's unanimous vote mean?

A: A unanimous vote by the Assembly Education Committee means the bill advances to the full Assembly for consideration. This indicates strong bipartisan support.

Q: Who is supporting the Jack Reid Law?

A: Supporters include Elizabeth and Bill Reid, the Jack Reid Foundation, and Assemblywoman Dawn Fantasia, a former school principal.

Q: What is the Jack Reid Foundation?

A: The Jack Reid Foundation was established by Elizabeth and Bill Reid to advocate for fostering a culture of kindness, empathy, and respect in educational environments.

Q: How many states have similar anti-bullying protections for private schools?

A: Currently, only seven states have mandated anti-bullying protections for children in both public and private schools. New Jersey could be the eighth.

Q: What does the bill require private schools to do?

A: The bill would require all private schools to adopt anti-bullying policies that protect students from bullying and harassment, similar to protections already in place in public schools.