DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A Senate panel has approved a bill aimed at reducing school bullying in Iowa, a key legislative issue for Gov. Terry Branstad this session. Members of an education subcommittee approved the bill Tuesday. It now heads to a full committee for consideration. The bill would expand guidelines for Iowa school districts responding to cases of bullying. It would allow school officials to address bullying outside of school grounds and expand the definition of cyberbullying.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa is opposing the bill, saying the legislation has overly broad language about parental notification and how much teachers should be monitoring for bullying off school grounds. Other groups have expressed support for the bill. Similar legislation failed to garner enough support last session.