Greg Atkin endured frequent bullying throughout elementary and middle school and is thrilled by the new law signed in Annapolis Tuesday by Maryland's governor.

The bill is a first for the state and is one of the toughest in the nation that has been signed into law.

"This is not a rite of passage. This is the childrens' life. This is their school. This is their education. This is something that we have to take seriously and make sure they have a safe learning environment," said bill co-sponsor, Delegate Craig Rice.

The new law defines bullying to include intentional harassment through an electronic device, including a cell phone, computer or pager.

The law also requires state and county school boards to develop policies that ban bullying. Information on counseling will be offered to both the victim and the bully.

The National Institutes of Health reports that bullying affects more than 5 million students a year in grades six through 11, and now for the first time, victims in Maryland have the law to help defend them.

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