Signed by Governor Pat Quinn

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to concur with Senate amendments and pass a bill that requires schools to establish bullying policies.

Highlights:

• Requires each school district, charter school, and non-public, non-sectarian elementary or secondary school implement the following procedures (Sec. 5): 
• To create, maintain, and implement a policy on “bullying” which must be filed with the State Board of Education; 
• To conduct a review and re-evaluation of its policy on “bullying” and make any necessary and appropriate revisions every 2 years; and
• To make the information evaluation, developed as a result of the policy on “bullying”, available on each school’s respective internet website. 

• Defines “bullying” as any severe or pervasive physical or verbal act or conduct, including communications made in writing or electronically, directed toward a student and producing one or more of the following outcomes (Sec. 5):
• Causing the student to have reasonable fear of harm to the student’s person or property;
• Causing a detrimental effect on the student’s physical or mental health;
• Causing substantial interference with the student’s academic performance; or
• Causing substantial interference with the student’s ability to participate in or benefit from the services, activities, or privileges provided by a school.

• Requires the policy on bullying to contain procedures for the prompt investigation of  reports of bullying including, but not limited to, the following procedures (Sec. 5):
• To complete the investigation within 10 school days after the report of the bullying incident was received;
• To notify the principal or school administrator about the bullying incident; and
• To provide parents and guardians of the students who are parties in the investigation information about the investigation and an opportunity to meet with the principal or school administrator.

• Requires the policy on bullying to meet  certain criteria including, but not limited to, the following criteria (Sec. 5):
• The inclusion of the school e-mail address and telephone number for the staff person or persons responsible for receiving such reports;
• The inclusion of procedures for promptly informing parents or guardians of all students involved in the alleged incident of bullying to discuss the availability of social work services, counseling, school psychological services, “restorative measures,” and other interventions;
• The inclusion of consequences and appropriate remedial actions for an individual found to have falsely accused another of bullying; and
• The inclusion of a policy evaluation process to assess the outcomes and effectiveness of the policy.

• Defines “restorative measures” as school-based alternatives to exclusionary discipline, such as suspensions and expulsions that meet certain criteria including, but not limited to, the following criteria (Sec. 5):
• That serve to maintain school safety;
• That serve to teach students the interpersonal skills they will need to be successful in school and society; and
• That serve to build and restore relationships.

• Requires that the information developed as a result of the policy evaluation be provided to the following individuals, if an internet website is not available (Sec. 5):
• All school administrators;
• All school board members;
• All school personnel;
• All parents;
• All guardians; and
• All students.

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that amends bullying prevention measures in the School Code of Illinois.

Highlights:

• Requires each school district, charter school, and non-public, non-sectarian elementary or secondary school implement the following procedures (Sec. 5): 
• To create, maintain, and implement a policy on “bullying” which must be filed with the State Board of Education; 
• To conduct a review and re-evaluation of its policy on “bullying” and make any necessary and appropriate revisions every 2 years; and
• To make the information evaluation, developed as a result of the policy on “bullying”, available on each school’s respective internet website. 

• Defines “bullying” as any severe or pervasive physical or verbal act or conduct, including communications made in writing or electronically, directed toward a student and producing one or more of the following outcomes (Sec. 5):
• Causing the student to have reasonable fear of harm to the student’s person or property;
• Causing a detrimental effect on the student’s physical or mental health;
• Causing substantial interference with the student’s academic performance; or
• Causing substantial interference with the student’s ability to participate in or benefit from the services, activities, or privileges provided by a school.

• Requires the policy on bullying to contain procedures for the prompt investigation of  reports of bullying including, but not limited to, the following procedures (Sec. 5):
• To complete the investigation within 10 school days after the report of the bullying incident was received;
• To notify the principal or school administrator about the bullying incident; and
• To provide parents and guardians of the students who are parties in the investigation information about the investigation and an opportunity to meet with the principal or school administrator.

• Requires the policy on bullying to meet  certain criteria including, but not limited to, the following criteria (Sec. 5):
• The inclusion of the school e-mail address and telephone number for the staff person or persons responsible for receiving such reports;
• The inclusion of procedures for promptly informing parents or guardians of all students involved in the alleged incident of bullying to discuss the availability of social work services, counseling, school psychological services, “restorative measures,” and other interventions;
• The inclusion of consequences and appropriate remedial actions for an individual found to have falsely accused another of bullying; and
• The inclusion of a policy evaluation process to assess the outcomes and effectiveness of the policy.

• Defines “restorative measures” as school-based alternatives to exclusionary discipline, such as suspensions and expulsions that meet certain criteria including, but not limited to, the following criteria (Sec. 5):
• That serve to maintain school safety;
• That serve to teach students the interpersonal skills they will need to be successful in school and society; and
• That serve to build and restore relationships.

• Requires that the information developed as a result of the policy evaluation be provided to the following individuals, if an internet website is not available (Sec. 5):
• All school administrators;
• All school board members;
• All school personnel;
• All parents;
• All guardians; and
• All students.

Full Bill Text