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Bill > SB908


VA SB908

VA SB908
Public schools; student discipline and codes of conduct, etc.


summary

Introduced
01/05/2025
In Committee
02/17/2025
Crossed Over
01/27/2025
Passed
03/07/2025
Dead
Signed/Enacted/Adopted
03/24/2025

Introduced Session

2025 Regular Session

Bill Summary

Public schools; student discipline and codes of conduct; prevention of and response to cyberbullying; policies and procedures required. Requires the Board of Education to include in its guidelines and model policies for codes of student conduct developed pursuant to applicable law standards for school board policies on cyberbullying, defined in the bill as bullying that occurs through the use of technology, including through cell phones and other electronic devices and technology capable of accessing the Internet. The bill requires each school board to expand on its policies and procedures relating to the prevention and prohibition of bullying that are included in its student conduct policies and procedures pursuant to relevant law by including policies and procedures that (i) address instances of cyberbullying that occur outside of school property between students enrolled in the school division; (ii) provide protections designed to ensure that any student who is a victim of or a witness to an instance of cyberbullying is not deterred from reporting or seeking support for such instance of cyberbullying by fears of retaliation, social alienation or rejection, or other negative treatment; and (iii) include a list of support services and resources available through each public school to any student who is a victim of cyberbullying relating to reporting and seeking support after experiencing an instance of cyberbullying.

AI Summary

This bill amends existing Virginia law to enhance school policies regarding cyberbullying by expanding definitions and requiring more comprehensive prevention and response strategies. Specifically, the bill defines "cyberbullying" as bullying that occurs through technology like cell phones and internet-capable electronic devices, and requires school boards to develop more robust policies addressing cyberbullying incidents that happen outside of school property. The bill mandates that school boards create policies that protect students who report cyberbullying from potential retaliation or social consequences, and require schools to provide a list of support services and resources for victims of cyberbullying. The legislation also updates the definition of "bullying" to clarify that it involves aggressive, unwanted behavior intended to harm, intimidate, or humiliate a victim, involves a power imbalance, and is repeated over time or causes severe emotional trauma. Additionally, the bill requires school principals to notify parents within 24 hours of learning about an alleged bullying incident and ensures that anti-bullying policies do not infringe upon students' First Amendment rights of expression, provided such expression does not disrupt school operations.

Committee Categories

Education, Health and Social Services

Sponsors (1)

Last Action

Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0438) (on 03/24/2025)

bill text


bill summary

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bill summary

Document Type Source Location
State Bill Page https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20251/SB908
BillText https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20251/SB908/text/CHAP0438
Fiscal Note/Analysis - Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB908) https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1069743.PDF
BillText https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20251/SB908/text/SB908ER
Fiscal Note/Analysis - Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB908) https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1023371.PDF
BillText https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20251/SB908/text/SB908
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