Elementary and secondary schools or higher educational institutions; bullying and cyberbullying.
What changed between versions
The definition of 'aggravated bullying' was changed from including any single act of bullying with certain characteristics to requiring more than one act of bullying or cyberbullying.
Cyberbullying was removed from the definition of 'aggravated bullying' in the new penalty section, meaning cyberbullying alone would no longer automatically qualify as a criminal offense under this specific statute.
The definitions section was streamlined by referencing the new § 18.2-56.01 for the definition of 'aggravated bullying' rather than containing the full definition within § 22.1-276.01.
The original version included a broader definition of 'aggravated bullying' that applied to single incidents involving hate speech or fear of violence, which was narrowed in the substitute version.
A new provision was added stating that if an individual continues bullying or cyberbullying after being told to stop, this serves as prima facie evidence that the act was intentional or knowingly placed the victim in fear.