State lawmakers in the House passed a bill Thursday to stop bullying in schools. It's none too soon for a Franklin County family that took matters into their own hands and moved their daughter.

The Cooper family of Turners Falls is hoping a school change will give their 6th grade daughter a chance for some better grades, but also a chance to attend school without having dealing with the cruelty from other kids.

Destiny Cooper, 6th grade, says: "It's messed up for kids to do this to other kids."

Destiny Cooper likes to do many of the things most 11 year old girls enjoy, play video games, spend time with family, and play with her cat Rascal.

But in school, her mom says learning disabilities made her stick out more than other kids.

Destiny Cooper, 6th grade, says: "Most of the time I would ignore it and walk away, and sometimes I would just talk back at them."

Laura Cooper says four girls targeted Destiny, and bullied her relentlessly.

Laura Cooper, Destiny's Mother, says: "She's going to the doctor because she's sick over it, and she's afraid to go to school because of it. She goes to the teachers and the teachers say go back to class, so something needs to be done."

Teachers at Great Falls Middle School in Turners Falls started mediation with Destiny and her tormentors. But her Mom says that didn't do much to help the problem. And at one session a girl even said she wanted to shoot Destiny.

Laura Cooper, Destiny's Mother, says: "For something as severe as I want to shoot you, this child should have been out of school for quite some time, that is a severe thing."

Laura says the girl got a one day in-school suspension for the incident, and the bullying continued.

Laura Cooper, Destiny's Mother, says: "Destiny came home and said I'm going to kill myself, I'm going to get rid of myself."

After winter break, it was time to make some changes. Destiny has been doing her work at home since, and Monday starts class up the road at Conway Grammar School.

Laura Cooper, Destiny's Mother, says: "It's a good 25 minute drive each way that I'll have to drive her."

Great Falls Middle School's principal says they're ahead of the commonwealth when it comes to legislation on bullying. She says they have a zero tolerance policy on the books, and next week the school commission is set to vote on a policy addressing cyber-bullying.

As for Destiny, right now she's looking forward to starting at her new school.

Destiny Cooper, 6th grade, says: "Meeting new friends, being respected by others."

She'll also have a special teacher to help her out in class. But most of all, she hopes bullying problems like hers will be taken seriously.

Destiny Cooper, 6th grade, says: "Nobody should be going through all this."

State Representatives say the bullying bill passed in the House includes requirements for prevention plans and mandatory reporting procedures. It also applies to every school in Massachusetts, including private schools. The legislation updates the definition of bullying to include cyber-bullying.