John Barnes, Jr. voted Yea (Passage) on this Legislation.
Title: Requires Additional Anti-Bullying Policies in Public Schools
Vote to pass a bill that requires additional anti-bullying measures in public schools.
Prohibits hazing or knowingly permitting hazing when the hazing causes serious physical harm (Sec. 1).
Defines “hazing” as doing or coercing another to do any act of initiation or act to maintain membership in a student organization that has a substantial risk of mental or physical harm (Sec. 1).
Classifies hazing or permitting hazing as a fourth degree felony (Sec. 1).
Requires school boards to develop and provide to schools guidance on best practices for intimidation, harassment, and bullying prevention (Sec. 1).
Defines “harassment, intimidation, or bullying” as any of the following (Sec. 1):
Behaviors towards another student or adult staff member that has happened more than once, causes mental or physical harm, and is severe or persistent enough that it creates a threatening environment;
Violence within a dating relationship; and
Hazing.
Requires the state board of education to develop a model policy and to review such policy every 4 years (Sec. 1).
Requires school boards to adopt disciplinary procedures for retaliation to reports of intimidation, harassment, or bullying (Sec. 1).
Requires school districts to maintain records of parent notification for each report instance of intimidation, harassment, or bullying (Sec. 1).
Requires school boards to adopt policies that require disciplinary procedures for harassment, intimidation, or bullying in the following steps (Sec. 1):
For a first offense, in school suspension of up to 10 days, or out of school suspension if administration determines it more appropriate;
For a second offense in the same school year, in school suspension of up to 30 days, or out of school suspension or expulsion if administration determines it more appropriate; and
For a third offense in the same school year, out of school suspension or expulsion for up to 182 days.
Requires students who are suspended or expelled to complete all assigned school work in order to return to school (Sec. 1).
Requires that school districts, in cases where a student is suspended or expelled, do all of the following (Sec. 1):
Allow student to complete all school work;
Allow student to complete any state assessment in their usual school environment; and
Prohibit student from participating in extracurricular activities.
Prohibits superintendents from suspending or expelling a students unless the student’s guardian has been given written notice and the guardian and student have been given the opportunity to appear in person before the superintendent (Sec. 1).
Authorizes students or their guardians to appeal a disciplinary decision (Sec. 1).
Requires superintendents to investigate any claims of intimidation, harassment, or bullying by adult staff toward students (Sec. 1).
Title: Requires Additional Anti-Bullying Policies in Public Schools