Vote to pass a bill that expands requirements for school districts concerning bullying.
Highlights:
Prohibits any student or minor on school property, in a school vehicle, or at a school activity from harassing, intimidating, bullying or “cyberbullying” a student (Sec. 1).
Defines “cyberbullying” as harassment, intimidation, or bullying committed by phone or computer which creates an "intimidating, threatening, or abusive educational environment" (Sec. 1).
Requires school districts to establish disciplinary policies for bullying that may include, but are not limited to, the following (Sec. 2):
Parental notification;
Suspension;
Expulsion; and
Report of criminal activity to law enforcement.
Requires school districts to establish policies for school employees to intervene on behalf of a student that is harassed, intimidated, bullied, or cyberbullied (Secs. 2 & 3).
Requires school districts to perform annual professional development for school employees to prevent and address harassment, intimidation, bullying, and cyberbullying of students (Secs. 2 & 3).
Requires school employees to report all cases of harassment, intimidation, bullying, and cyberbullying to the school's administrative personnel (Sec. 3).
Exempts home school settings from the provisions of this act (Sec. 3).