Anti-bullying bill named after teen who died by suicide signed into law in Indiana

An anti-bullying bill named after an Indiana middle schooler who died by suicide has been signed into law by the governor.

The law creates a statewide blueprint for schools to protect bullying victims. The bipartisan House Bill 1483 passed in the state House in February but had languished in the state Senate until Terry Badger III’s death put a renewed spotlight on it, prompting nearly 100,000 people to sign a Change.org petition urging the Indiana General Assembly to take action.

Terry, 13, of Covington, Indiana, killed himself on March 6. In his final moments, he recorded a video on his cellphone in which he named bullies at school and said they were the reason he was taking his own life, his parents said.

The bill passed the state Senate 46-3 on April 27 and was signed into law by Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb on Thursday.

The law will require Indiana schools to notify the parents of a bullying victim within three business days that an incident has been reported and to notify the parents of an alleged bullying perpetrator within five business days.

It also requires schools to determine the severity of the bullying and whether the incident merits the transfer of the victim or perpetrator to a different school within the district for the victim’s safety.

In their first interview since the bill was signed, Terry’s parents said they were certain their son was saving other kids’ lives.

“I’m overwhelmed, I’m excited,” said Terry’s mom, Robyn Badger. “This was definitely every bit of him working through us.”

“I always taught him, whatever he was going to do, have a purpose for what you’re doing,” added Terry’s dad, Terry Badger II. “It’s a hard purpose to swallow sometimes, but he’s definitely made us proud for sure.”

Last month, the bill’s author requested it be known as TB3’s Law, after Terry Badger III. 

“I’m grateful to the leadership for allowing the bill…