Bullying/Harassment
Revised Statute 160.775 (2009) requires every district to adopt an antibullying policy. Policies must treat students equally, not contain specific lists of protected classes who are to receive special treatment, and must contain a statement of the consequences of bullying. Each district's policy must require district employees to report any instances of bullying which the employee has first hand knowledge and must address training of employees.
Revised Statute 160.261 (2008) includes harassment as an "act of violence" that requires mandatory reporting by school administrators to the appropriate law enforcement agency. Harassment includes the following: (1) Knowingly communicating a threat to commit a felony to another person, thereby frightening, intimidating or causing emotional distress to such other person, (2) When communicating with another person, knowingly using coarse language offensively, thereby putting such person in reasonable apprehension of offensive physical contact or harm, (3) To knowingly frighten, intimidate or cause emotional distress to another person by anonymously making a telephone call or any electronic communication ("Cyber Bullying"), (4) Knowingly communicating with another person who is, or purports to be, seventeen years of age or younger, and in doing so recklessly frightening, intimidating or causes emotional distress, (5) Knowingly making repeated unwanted communication to another person, and (6) Engaging in any other act with the purpose to frighten, intimidate or emotionally distress another person.
Cyber Bullying
Revised Statute 160.261 (2008) includes harassment as an "act of violence" that requires mandatory reporting by school administrators to the appropriate law enforcement agency. This includes knowingly frightening, intimidating or causing emotional distress to another person by anonymously making a telephone call or any electronic communication ("Cyber Bullying"),
Hazing
No state policy addressing elementary or secondary schools.
Source: National Association of State Boards of Education
Last Updated: 7/9/2009
