By Lindsay Tice,Staff Writer

State Rep. Carol Grose never thought bullying was that big a deal in Maine schools.

Until she met a kid who was harassed.

The boy had moved into a shelter with his mother and three brothers and sisters to escape a violent home life. When his classmates learned he was living there, they taunted him for weeks.

The boy became depressed. He didn’t want to play with other kids, or even leave his room.

“That was my first real eye-opener on it,” said Grose, who remembers only mild teasing during her school days. “I can’t believe how much meaner it is now.”

Grose, a Woolwich Democrat, hopes her new law will help change that.

The law forces every school to create a policy on bullying, harassment and sexual harassment. It also asks a committee of experts to come up with model bullying policies, teacher training videos, pamphlets and other materials to educate people about bullying.

Experts say the information will help keep kids safe.

Grose sponsored the bill earlier this session and the Legislature approved it in June. Gov. John Baldacci signed it into law Wednesday.

The state already required school systems to keep policies on student conduct. Many, including Lewiston, wove harassment and bullying into their policies.

Stan Davis, an expert on bullying, hopes the new law will encourage schools to do more.

“It’s become clear in the last decade that this is an important issue,” said Davis, a member of the committee creating model policies and materials. “Being bullied or feeling isolated can lead to all sorts of problems.”

Victims can suffer from depression and anxiety, he said. Guilt can wrack young bystanders. Even bullies can have problems years after they leave the playground.

Middle school bullies are five times more likely to be charged with assault by the time they’re 25, Davis said.

He wants to show parents and teachers what to look for and how to deal with bullying. He also wants to dispel myths, including one common piece of motherly advice: Bullies will go away if you look them in the eyes, tell them they’re hurting your feelings and ask them to stop.

“The most likely response will be for the bully to look back and say, I don’t care,'” Davis said.

The committee must finish its work by February 2006. Schools must come up with their polices by September 2006.