The Pennsylvania House and Senate each introduced legislation this week to make it easier for prosecutors to punish chronic bullies.

The House legislation and a companion Senate bill would enhance penalties for bullying-related offenses. For instance, a violation normally graded a summary offense would be upgraded to a misdemeanor under the legislation.

House Bill 2053 and Senate Bill 564 would define the crime of chronic bullying as “the intent to place an individual or group in fear of personal injury or property damage; or the intent to harass, annoy or alarm an individual or group.”

Under the legislation, offenses committed by minors would be a third-degree misdemeanor. A third or following offense would be a second-degree misdemeanor.

Offenses committed by adults would be graded as a second-degree misdemeanor, with a third or subsequent offenses graded as a first-degree misdemeanor.

The bills also would increase the penalties for repeat offenders.

According to a national study, about 20 percent of students aged 12 to 18, have been bullied, and 15 percent of them say they were bullied online or by text message.

And a 2017 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study shows 17.3 percent of all Pennsylvania high school students reported being cyberbullied.

Lawmakers said the proposed legislation is not aimed at people who use bad judgment a few times, but rather at bullies who regularly try to threaten, harm or degrade others.

The legislation also would assist victims in dealing with a trauma that, thanks to social media, can last a lifetime.

There is a strong link between bullying and suicide, as suggested by recent bullying-related suicides in the United States and other countries.

Although some adults still see bullying as “just part of being a kid,” it is a serious problem that leads to many negative effects for victims, including suicide. Many people also do not realize that there is a link between being a bully and committing suicide.

We commend legislators for addressing the issue of bullying.

If there is a risk of jail time, one would hope teens and adults would be less likely to bully others via their smart phone or computer.