Fair Warning, Parents: If Your Kid Is a Bully, You Could Soon Get Slapped With a $750 Fine

Pennsylvania State Representative Frank Burns wants to deal with school bullies in a pretty direct way: by fining their parents up to $750 for their behavior.

The penalties are part of a larger bill that aims to nip bullying in the bud once and for all. If the legislation passes, the bill will also require schools to notify parents each time their son or daughter gets in trouble for beating up on other students emotionally or physically with various monetary values attached to each warning to really hammer the point home.

"Parental accountability is a big factor in bullying," Burns told The Washington Post. "A lot of parents refuse to believe that their son or daughter is bullying people. They want to believe that their kid is great and would not do such a thing."

Just to be clear, first-time offenders wouldn't get slapped with a high fine right off that bat — your kiddo needs to be a habitual offender to start incurring fees.

According to Burns' bill, the school will have to take "some type of action" once they get wind that a student is engaging in this behavior. The parents of the student would also be required to enroll in parenting classes on bullying if a second incident occurs. The money comes into play once a kid is caught bullying for a third time. At that point, it's up to a judge to determine whether or not there's enough evidence to issue a court order forcing the parents to pay $500. If the student still hasn't learned their lesson, then the family will be charged $750 every time their child is caught getting other students a hard time going forward.

And we're not only talking about problems that crop up in the school halls; the bill would also apply to any kids who were engaging in cyberbullying since it's illegal in Pennsylvania — which is a pretty smart move.

While Burn's idea to actually fine bullies' moms and dads isn't brand new, it could end up being pretty effective. Lawmakers passed a similar law in October in response to a group of boys' behavior in North Tonawanda, NY, which allows judges to order parents to pay up to $250 or spend 15 days in jail if their child is a habitual offender. Parents in Shawano, WI, also face monetary repercussions if they don't address instances of bullying with their kids within 90 days. The law was established after a previously bullied high schooler shot four students as they were leaving prom in 2016 with a hunting rifle.

Do you think passing bills like this will put an end to bullying? Only time will tell.