April 30, 2010 — Prohibits Bullying and Cyber-bullying; Requires Schools to Establish Anti-Bullying Programs

BOSTON — In a decisive move to help schools address bullying, State Representative Jennifer Benson joined her colleagues in the Massachusetts House of Representatives in approving comprehensive legislation prohibiting bullying and cyber-bullying, directing schools to implement bullying prevention and intervention plans, and requiring school staff to report incidents of bullying.

"This law will help our schools address the increasing problem of bullying," said Benson. "We need to provide our students with a safe environment to learn and this bill is a step in the right direction."

To stop bullying when it happens, the legislation requires school staff to report incidents of bullying to the principal, who must then investigate and take appropriate disciplinary action. The bill prohibits bullying on school grounds, school busses, at school-sponsored activities, and through the use of electronic communications.

In an effort to control costs for schools, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education is required to identify low cost and free options for professional development for school staff. The Department is also required to develop a model bullying prevention and intervention plan schools can use in developing their own plans.

In recognition of the role that parents have in preventing and stopping bullying, the bill requires principals to notify parents of both the victim and perpetrator when bullying has occurred. The bill also involves parents by requiring that schools consult parents in the development of their anti-bullying plans and that schools offer information to parents on bullying prevention.

In addition, children on the Autism spectrum and children who are vulnerable to bullying because of a disability must have provisions in their Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) to ensure they obtain the skills to avoid and respond to bullying.

The bill prohibits retaliation against a person who reports bullying, provides information during an investigation of bullying, or who is a witness to or has reliable information about bullying.