Bullying/Harassment
Code 53A-11a-102 (2008) defines bullying in the school environment as intentionally knowing or committing an act that endangers the physical health or safety of a school employee or student, involves brutality of a physical nature, consumption of any food, liquor, drug or other substance, involves phycial activity that endangers the physical health and safety of a school employee or student's freedom to move, or physically osbstructs a school employee or student's freedom to move. A "bullying" act is done for the purpose of placing a school employee or act in fear of physical harm or harm to their property.
Code 53A-11a-201 prohibits bullying or hazing by a school employee or student on school property, a school related or sponsored event, a school bus, at a school bus stop, while the school employee or student is to or from a location or event described above.
Code 53A-11a-301 (2008) requires each school board to adopt a bullying or hazing policy. The requirements of the policy are outlined in the statute.
Code 53A-11a-301 (2008) requires the State Board of Education to develop a model policy on bullying, hazing and retaliation.
State Board of Education Policy R277-613-1 (2009) defines bullying as intentionally or knowingly committing an act that is done for the purpose of placing a school employee or student in fear of physical harm to the school employee or student or harm to property of the school employee or student. Acts of bullying may include (a) endangerment to the physical health or safety of a school employee or student, (b) any brutality of a physical nature (c) placing of a harmful substance on the body, or exposure to the elements to a school employee or student, (d) forced or unwilling consumption of any food, liquor, drug, or other substance by a school employee or student, (e) any forced or coerced act or activity of a sexual nature or with sexual connotations such as asking prospective or active team members to remove articles of clothing or expose or touch private areas of the body, (f) other physical activity that endangers the physical health and safety of a school employee or student; or (g) physically obstructing a school employee's or student's freedom to move.
State Board of Education Policy R277-613-1 (2009) requires each school district to implement a policy prohibiting bullying and hazing consistent with Code 53A-11a-301 (2008). It also requires policies to provide for an assessment of the prevalence of bullying in school districts, schools and charter schools, specifically locations where students are unsafe and additional adult supervision may be required, such as playgrounds, hallways and lunch areas.
R277-609 (2008) requires student assessments of the prevalence of bullying in schools to be conducted both at the district and the school and charter level. The policy also extends the requirements for anti-bullying awareness and intervention skills to include custodians, kitchen and lunchroom workers, and secretaries.
SCR 1 (Resolution Encouraging School Boards to Adopt Policy Prohibiting Bullying) (2006) urges school districts to develop a program to identify and assist victims of bullying, harassment and intimidation, and educate those committing the acts.
State Board of Education Policy R277-613-1 (2009) requires any student, employee or volunteer participating in a public school sponsored athletic program, both curricular and extracurricular club or activity, to participate in bullying and hazing prevention training. Refresher training is also required of all students and employees at least once every three years.
Code 53A-11-904 (2003) allows the suspension of a student for behavior or threatened behavior that poses an immediate threat to the welfare, safety, or morals of other students or personnel.
Cyber Bullying
State Board of Education Policy R277-613-1 (2009) defines Cyber Bullying as "the use of email, instant messaging, chat rooms, pagers, cell phones or other forms of information technology to deliberately harass, threaten, or intimidate someone for the purpose of placing a school employee or student in fear of physical harm to the school employee or student or harm to property of the school employee or student. The policy requires each school district to implement a policy prohibiting bullying and hazing consistent with Code 53A-11a-301 (2008).
Hazing
Code 53A-11a-102 (2008) defines hazing in the school environment.
Code 53A-11a-201 prohibits hazing by a school employee or student on school property, a school related or sponsored event, a school bus, at a school bus stop, while the school employee or student is to or from a location or event described above.
Code 53A-11a-301 (2008) requires each school board to adopt a bullying or hazing policy. The requirements of the policy are outlined in the statute.
Code 53A-11-908 requires local boards of education, and recommends the State Board, adopt rules prohibiting hazing.
State Board of Education Policy R277-613-1 defines hazing as "intentionally or knowingly committing an act that is done for the purpose of initiation or admission into, affiliation with, holding office in, or as a condition for membership or acceptance, or continued membership or acceptance, in any school or sposored team, organization, program or event." Acts of hazing are outlined in the policy.
State Board of Education Policy R277-613-1 (2009) requires each school district to implement a policy prohibiting bullying and hazing consistent with Code 53A-11a-301 (2008).
Source: National Association of State Boards of Education
Last Updated: 10/3/2010
