Bill > H591

This bill strengthens school bullying prevention and reporting requirements in Massachusetts by mandating several key changes. Schools will now be required to post draft bullying prevention and intervention plans in conspicuous places and on their websites, and provide a 30-day public comment period for interested parties (with slightly different rules for non-public schools). The bill requires schools to consider all comments before finalizing their plans, which must be updated every two years and submitted to the state board within 30 days of updates. The state education department will now be empowered to investigate alleged bullying incidents within a two-year period of their occurrence, and the definition of bullying-related incidents is expanded to explicitly include situations resulting in student suspensions or expulsions. Additionally, the state board and commissioner are granted explicit powers to ensure schools comply with these new requirements, including the ability to take action if schools do not submit their updated bullying prevention plans as mandated.

Budget and Finance, Education

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H591