Signed by Governor Steve Bullock

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to concur with Senate amendments and pass a bill that prohibits bullying in public schools.

Highlights:

• Prohibits a student or employee from “bullying” a student enrolled in a public school for kindergarten through 12th grade (Sec. 3).

• Defines “bullying” as harassment, intimidation, or other actions against a student, including an intentional written, verbal, or electronic communication or threat, that is persistent, severe, or repeated and results in the following effects (Sec. 2):
• The act causes a student physical harm, damages his or her property, or places him or her in a reasonable fear of harm;
• The act creates a hostile environment by interfering with or denying a student’s access to an educational opportunity or benefit; or
• The act substantially and materially disrupts the orderly operation of the school.

• Specifies that “bullying” includes retaliation against a victim or witness who reports information about an act of bullying, and acts of hazing associated with athletics or school-sponsored organizations or groups (Sec. 2).

• Authorizes an individual alleging a violation of this bill to seek redress under available civil or criminal law after exhausting all administrative remedies (Sec. 4).

Full Bill Text