§ 6-18-514 - Antibullying policies. - Arkansas Statutes

6-18-514. Antibullying policies.

(a) (1) The General Assembly finds that every public school student in this state has the right to receive his or her public education in a public school educational environment that is reasonably free from substantial intimidation, harassment, or harm or threat of harm by another student.

(2) The school board of directors in every public school district shall adopt policies to prevent pupil harassment, also known as bullying.

(3) As used in this subchapter:

(A) "Bullying" means the intentional harassment, intimidation, humiliation, ridicule, defamation, or threat or incitement of violence by a student against another student or public school employee by a written, verbal, electronic, or physical act that causes or creates a clear and present danger of:

(i) Physical harm to a public school employee or student or damage to the public school employee's or student's property;

(ii) Substantial interference with a student's education or with a public school employee's role in education;

(iii) A hostile educational environment for one (1) or more students or public school employees due to the severity, persistence, or pervasiveness of the act; or

(iv) Substantial disruption of the orderly operation of the school or educational environment;

(B) "Electronic act" means without limitation a communication or image transmitted by means of an electronic device, including without limitation a telephone, wireless phone or other wireless communications device, computer, or pager;

(C) "Harassment" means a pattern of unwelcome verbal or physical conduct relating to another person's constitutionally or statutorily protected status that causes, or reasonably should be expected to cause, substantial interference with the other's performance in the school environment; and

(D) "Substantial disruption" means without limitation that any one (1) or more of the following occur as a result of the bullying:

(i) Necessary cessation of instruction or educational activities;

(ii) Inability of students or educational staff to focus on learning or function as an educational unit because of a hostile environment;

(iii) Severe or repetitive disciplinary measures are needed in the classroom or during educational activities; or

(iv) Exhibition of other behaviors by students or educational staff that substantially interfere with the learning environment.

(b) The policies shall:

(1) (A) Clearly define conduct that constitutes bullying.

(B) The definition shall include without limitation the definition contained in subsection (a) of this section;

(2) Prohibit bullying:

(A) While in school, on school equipment or property, in school vehicles, on school buses, at designated school bus stops, at school-sponsored activities, at school-sanctioned events; or

(B) (i) By an electronic act that results in the substantial disruption of the orderly operation of the school or educational environment.

(ii) This section shall apply to an electronic act whether or not the electronic act originated on school property or with school equipment, if the electronic act is directed specifically at students or school personnel and maliciously intended for the purpose of disrupting school, and has a high likelihood of succeeding in that purpose;

(3) State the consequences for engaging in the prohibited conduct, which may vary depending on the age or grade of the student involved;

(4) Require that a school employee who has witnessed or has reliable information that a pupil has been a victim of bullying as defined by the district shall report the incident to the principal;

(5) Require that the person or persons who file a complaint will not be subject to retaliation or reprisal in any form;

(6) Require that notice of what constitutes bullying, that bullying is prohibited, and that the consequences of engaging in bullying be conspicuously posted in every classroom, cafeteria, restroom, gymnasium, auditorium, and school bus in the district; and

(7) Require that copies of the notice of what constitutes bullying, that bullying is prohibited, and that the consequences of engaging in bullying be provided to parents, students, school volunteers, and employees. Each policy shall require that a full copy of the policy be made available upon request.

(c) A school employee who has reported violations under the school district's policy shall be immune from any tort liability that may arise from the failure to remedy the reported incident.

(d) The local school board of directors may provide opportunities for school employees to participate in programs or other activities designed to develop the knowledge and skills to prevent and respond to acts covered by this policy.

(e) (1) The school district shall file with the Department of Education a copy of the policies adopted in compliance with this section.

(2) The State Board of Education shall review the policies provided by the school districts and may recommend changes or improvements to the districts if the state board determines that the policies need improvement.