Bill > HB53

This bill modifies the legal definition of "bullying" in Virginia's educational code to explicitly include power imbalances based on a victim's membership in a group protected from discrimination under the Virginia Human Rights Act. Specifically, the bill expands the existing definition of bullying to clarify that aggressive and unwanted behavior can constitute bullying not just through general power dynamics, but also when the power imbalance stems from the victim belonging to a legally protected group. The definition maintains its core characteristics: the behavior must be aggressive, unwanted, intended to harm or intimidate, and either repeated over time or causing severe emotional trauma. The bill also reaffirms that ordinary teasing, horseplay, arguments, or peer conflicts do not qualify as bullying. By making this amendment, the bill aims to provide clearer guidance to schools about recognizing and addressing bullying, particularly when it involves discrimination against protected groups, which could include characteristics such as race, color, religion, national origin, sex, or disability.

Education

https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB53