Bill > SB178

This bill, known as the Michael Joseph Berry Peer Abuse Prevention and Awareness Act of 2014, aims to address bullying and peer abuse among students in California. It proposes the establishment of a Michael J. Berry Peer Abuse Prevention Advisory Council, tasked with advising the Superintendent on issues related to bullying and peer abuse, including implementing existing anti-bullying measures. The council will comprise individuals with expertise in areas such as social media, behavioral health, crisis intervention, suicide prevention, and culturally competent services. Members will be appointed by the Superintendent and will serve without salary, only receiving reimbursement for expenses. The council's goals include providing technical assistance to schools on reducing bullying, recommending resources for students and families, improving data collection on bullying, and developing recommendations for schools to incorporate anti-bullying information on their websites, in safety plans, and in parent communications. The bill also mandates that school districts provide information about the council's activities and recommendations on their websites and in relevant materials, and that they inform students involved in bullying complaints and their families. The implementation of this section is contingent upon the appropriation of funds in the annual budget or the Superintendent's determination of sufficient available funding.