Rep. Ford Proposes Parental Bullying Bill

An Illinois lawmaker is proposing a parental bullying bill. Illinois State Representative La Shawn Ford filed the bill that would create an offense of parental bullying. Under House Bill 0029, a parent or legal guardian of a minor commits parental bullying “when he or she knowingly and with the intent to discipline, embarrass, or alter the behavior of a minor, transmits any verbal or visual message that the parent or legal guardian reasonably believes would coerce, intimidate, harass, or cause substantial emotional distress of a minor.”  If convicted, a fine would be imposed and a portion of the fine would be placed in escrow for the purchase of a certificate of deposit for the victim to attain at the age of eighteen.