Minnesota

Bullying/Harassment
Statute 121A.03 requires each school board to adopt a written sexual, religious, and racial harassment and violence policy.

Statute 121A.0695 (2005) states that the policy needs to specifically include prohibiting intimidation or bullying of any student. This policy must be conspicuously posted throughout each school building, given to district employees and independent contractors, and included in each school's student handbook. Each school must further develop a process for discussing the policy with students and employees. Added in 2005, the policy may encourage violence prevention and character development education programs to prevent and reduce policy violations.

SB646 (2007) states that the intimidation and bullying policy required by 121A.0695 (2005) must address intimidation and bullying in all forms, including electronic forms and forms involving Internet use.

Cyber Bullying
SB646 (2007) states that the intimidation and bullying policy required by 121A.0695 (2005) must address intimidation and bullying in all forms, including electronic forms and forms involving Internet use.

Hazing
Statute 121A.69 (2003) requires each school board to adopt a written policy governing student or staff hazing that applies to student behavior on or off school property and during and after school hours. The policy must include reporting procedures and disciplinary consequences for violations, and must be included in the student handbook.

Source: National Association of State Boards of Education
Last Updated: 10/13/2008

State news

February 2010
Panel discusses successful integration of Olweus Bullying Prevention Program

Joe Thimm displays a T-shirt created at Taylors Falls for their bullying prevention program: "With River Rules, Bullying Falls." The annual conference of the Minnesota Elementary School Principals’ Association (MESPA) featured a panel discussion about the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program. Panelists included three principals who have successfully integrated the OBPP into their school communities. Lorene Force (Cokato Elementary, Dassel-Cokato), Joe Thimm (Taylors Falls Elementary, Chisago Lakes), Joleen DeLaHunt (Menhaga Elementary, Menhaga), and Michelle Krell, moderator (Hartley Elementary, Waseca) discussed the program and their schools’ bullying initiatives. "We have been using the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program in my school for four years and it has been exciting to see the changes. Olweus meshed very effectively with our school-wide behavior program. Students know what bullying is and don't want to be considered a bully," Krell said. For more information about the conference, visit MESPA’s website.

Olweus Bullying Prevention Program panel presentation by principals who have successfully integrated the program into their school community. Panelists included: l-r, Joleen DeLaHunt, Menhaga; Lorene Force, Dassel/Cokato; Joe Thimm, Chisago Lakes; Michelle Krell, Waseca (moderator, at right).

October 2009
MESPA, Hazelden Launch Minnesota Bullying Prevention Initiative