Bill > S984

This bill aims to prevent and respond to bullying of elderly and disabled residents in covered residential communities. The key provisions include: 1. Defining different types of bullying, such as cyberbullying, group/social bullying, and mobbing, and prohibiting these behaviors on residential property and in residential community-related activities. 2. Requiring the Attorney General's office to publish a model plan and training curricula for owners/managers to address bullying prevention and intervention, and to conduct periodic surveys on the prevalence and effectiveness of such efforts. 3. Mandating that each covered residential community develop and implement a comprehensive bullying prevention and intervention plan, in consultation with residents, staff, and local stakeholders. 4. Specifying the required elements of the plan, such as reporting procedures, investigative protocols, disciplinary measures, victim support strategies, and professional development for staff. 5. Establishing responsibilities for owners/managers to provide annual notice of the plan to residents and staff, and to ensure proper implementation and oversight. 6. Requiring staff to immediately report any instances of bullying or retaliation to the owner/manager, who must then investigate and take appropriate remedial action. The overall goal of the bill is to create a framework for covered residential communities to effectively prevent, respond to, and address bullying of elderly and disabled residents.

Budget and Finance, Housing and Urban Affairs, Justice

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/191/S984