Phoebe’s death sparks US legislation change

THE US state where Irish teenager Phoebe Prince tragically took her life has introduced new legislation forcing teachers to immediately report any bullying issues to school principles.

Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick signed the bill into law after the 15-year-old Co Clare girl and 11-year-old Carl Walker-Hoover both died by suicide after being subject to separate bullying campaigns.

The new law, described by legislators as a “watershed moment” for child protection, prohibits bullying on school property.