SB 132 – This act modifies the requirements for school anti-bullying policies. The definition of "bullying" is modified to include discrimination and to include actions that substantially interfere with a student's educational performance, opportunities, or benefits, or that substantially disrupt the orderly operation of the school. Bullying is prohibited by school employees or students on school property, at school functions, or on school buses. This act removes the requirement that school policies treat all students equally and not identify lists of protected classes of students. Instead, bullying that is based on characteristics or categories, as described in the act, is prohibited. School district policies must contain the following: a statement prohibiting bullying, including a definition of bullying, as described in the act; a procedure for reporting an act of bullying; a procedure for prompt investigations; how a school will respond to a confirmed incident of bullying; a statement prohibiting reprisal or retaliation against a person who reports an act of bullying; a statement of how the policy will be made public; and a process for discussing the policy with students and training employees and volunteers.
The State Board of Education must develop model anti-bullying policies to assist school districts no later than September 1, 2010.
This act is substantially similar to HB 1751 (2008).
MICHAEL RUFF