Bullying/Harassment
Statute 16-21-24 (2003) and 16-21-26 requires schools and district school boards to adopt school safety plans to include policies and procedures that specifically prohibit bullying and harassment by students at school. H7213 (2008) includes "electronic communications" in the definition of harassment, intimidation or bullying. Statute 16-21-26 requires the creation of a forum or designating mentors for students concerned with bullying, and encourages the creation of bullying task forces. It also provides immunity from liability to employees who promptly report incidences of bullying, intimidation or harassment to the appropriate officials. Such employees are not liable for any damages arising from failure to remedy the reported incident.
Cyber Bullying
H7213 (2008) includes "electronic communications" in the definition of harassment, intimidation or bullying that school and district boards must include in their policies and procedures prohibiting bullying. "'Electronic' communications include any verbal, textual or graphic communication of any kind effected, created or transmitted by the use of any electronic device, including, but not limited to, a computer, telephone, cellular telephone, text-messaging device and/or personal data assistance device."
Hazing
Statute 11-21-2 (1956) makes hazing, defined in detail in Statute §11-21-1 (1909), a misdemeanor offense, punishable of up to a $500 fine and/or imprisonment from 30 days to one year.
Source: National Association of State Boards of Education
Last Updated: 10/13/2008
