Public Education Bullying Amendments
What changed between versions
The definition of 'bullying' was updated to explicitly cover acts by school employees against students or other employees, in addition to acts by students.
New specific definitions were created for 'staff bullying' and 'student bullying' to clarify intent, power dynamics, and exclusions like ordinary teasing.
'Cyber-bullying' was formally defined to include text, video, or images sent via electronic devices with intent to harm or threaten.
The definition of 'hazing' was expanded to include mental stressors like sleep deprivation and extreme embarrassment, not just physical acts.
The definition of 'abusive conduct' was added to address verbal or nonverbal behavior by parents or students directed at school employees.
The definition of 'retaliate' was clarified to include acts intended to improperly influence investigations or responses to bullying reports.
New reporting requirements were added to Section 53E-3-516, mandating annual reports on law enforcement actions and school disciplinary incidents with specific demographic data.
Formatting errors and inconsistent numbering in the original text were corrected to ensure clarity and proper legal structure.
