Bill > SB1508

This bill amends Arizona's school governance statutes to provide a more comprehensive definition of bullying and cyberbullying within school district policies. The bill requires school districts to establish detailed policies that address bullying, including a definition of bullying as either a single significant act or a pattern of acts that exploits an imbalance of power and occurs in school-related settings. The definition encompasses various forms of expression (written, verbal, electronic, or physical) and includes acts that result in physical harm, cause substantial negative mental health effects, damage property, create an intimidating educational environment, disrupt the educational process, or infringe on a student's rights. The bill also introduces a specific definition of cyberbullying, which includes electronic communications through various devices and platforms that interfere with educational opportunities or disrupt school activities. Additionally, the bill requires schools to develop comprehensive procedures for reporting, investigating, and addressing bullying incidents, including confidential reporting mechanisms, documentation processes, disciplinary procedures, and protections for victims. The legislation aims to provide a more robust framework for identifying, preventing, and addressing bullying in school environments.

Education

https://apps.azleg.gov/BillStatus/BillOverview/82939