Gov. Mark Dayton signed an executive order on Tuesday to create a state task force to prevent bullying in the state’s public schools. The task force will evaluate the state’s current anti-bullying policy — which is only 37 words — and recommend changes by August 2012.

At a press conference on Tuesday, Dayton said he formed the task force “so that every child knows that they are safe and are respected for who they are.”

Sen. Scott Dibble, DFL-Minneapolis, who has been pushing for more comprehensive anti-bullying laws in Minnesota said, “When kids tell us year after year that they can’t even go to school, when loving involved parents feel helpless, when caring teachers and staff feel they have no where to turn… this task force will give us an opportunity to better address the problem.”

He added, “Minnesota has far and away the weakest bullying laws of any state that’s addressed it. This will allow those who want to jump in and make a difference for the better, it will allow them the opportunity to get involved.”

“We are the adults in the room,” said Rep. Jim Davnie, DFL-Minneapolis, said. “What we have been doing is too little and too late in Minnesota. Other states have stepped forward and taken on this issue.”

He added, “Everyone benefits when a school environment supports and affirms all students.”

Tammy Aaberg also spoke at the press conference. She lost her son, Justin, in July 2010 to suicide.

“I didn’t find out until 6 weeks after he died that he had been bullied because of his sexual orientation,” she said. “There seems to be certain types of students that are being harassed and discriminated against.”

Aaberg said that any new anti-bullying policies need to include enumerations of student characteristics such as race, gender, disability or sexual orientation so that students are not left out.

She noted that throughout history, intentionally leaving characteristics out such as gender or race led to historical discrimination against students.

She also said any new anti-bullying policies needed to “educate the bully in order fro them to learn from their behavior.”

“With the help of Gov. Dayton, Sen. Dibble, and Rep. Davnie, we can make schools safer for our kids.”

Dayton said, “I want to have the “A” plus, plus, plus law than the “C” minus law we have now.”

The Uptake captured the press event: