Bill > H507

This bill proposes several key changes to school anti-bullying policies in Massachusetts, focusing on enhanced reporting, protection, and intervention strategies. The legislation mandates that schools shift from annual to quarterly reporting of bullying incidents, remove the requirement that only "substantiated" incidents be reported, and require school principals to file detailed quarterly reports to the state education department. The bill also strengthens protections against retaliation for those who report bullying, requiring that individuals who report, investigate, witness, or provide information about bullying incidents cannot be retaliated against. Additionally, the bill introduces a new anti-bullying officer pilot program that will assign specialized officers to the five schools with the most reported bullying incidents, with responsibilities including responding to, investigating, and reporting bullying incidents. The legislation also expands requirements for school bullying prevention plans, mandating that they include information for parents about curriculum, online safety, cyber-bullying dynamics, and how to report bullying instances. Furthermore, the bill requires mandatory counseling services for both bullying perpetrators and victims, aiming to provide comprehensive support and intervention for all parties involved in bullying situations.

Budget and Finance, Education

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H507