Hey Rick, before you start your presidential campaign, you mind signing that bullying bill?

What a coincidence! Just moments after we reported that Gov. Rick Perry plans to consider running for president — and highlighted his anti-LGBT record — the Human Rights Campaign has issued a statement calling on Perry to swiftly sign anti-bullying legislation passed by the Legislature this week. We’re pretty sure the two aren’t related, as HRC has been following this legislation for some time. But now it amounts to the nation’s pre-eminent gay-rights group, which has already endorsed President Barack Obama for re-election, calling on a possible GOP presidential candidate to sign a bill. Here’s HRC’s full statement:

The Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest LGBT civil rights organization, today praises the Texas legislature for passing HB 1942, a bill that strengthens Texas anti-bullying provisions. The bill now moves to Governor Rick Perry for consideration.

“Students deserve a learning environment that protects them from the emotional and psychological, not to mention physical damage that comes as a result of being bullied,” said HRC President Joe Solmonese. “Governor Perry should act swiftly and sign the bill to ensure all of Texas’ children have the opportunity to be safe in school.”

This bill, in part, requires school districts to adopt policies on bullying and sets baseline criteria that must be included. In addition, it adds a prohibition on bullying through electronic means.

Thirty-nine states, plus the District of Columbia, have laws prohibiting bullying in schools, with varying degrees of protection. For maps of nondiscrimination laws in the states, please visit: www.HRC.org/State_Laws.