Bill > S434

This bill proposes several amendments to existing anti-bullying legislation in Massachusetts schools, focusing on enhancing reporting, protection, and intervention strategies. The bill mandates that schools provide quarterly (instead of annual) reports on bullying incidents to the state department of education, removing the requirement that only substantiated incidents be reported. It prohibits retaliation against individuals who report bullying, provide information during investigations, or share bullying data. The bill requires school principals to implement and oversee anti-bullying plans and file quarterly reports. Additionally, the legislation mandates that bullying prevention plans include information for parents about curriculum, online safety, cyber-bullying, and reporting procedures. A key new provision establishes an anti-bullying officer pilot program that will assign dedicated officers to the five schools with the most reported bullying incidents, with responsibilities including responding to, investigating, and reporting bullying cases. The bill also introduces mandatory counseling services for both bullying perpetrators and victims, aiming to provide comprehensive support and intervention in school environments.

Education

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S434