AR HB1003

Requires school board members to complete bullying and cyberbullying prevention training, including a one-time program on bullying as defined in state law and its relationship to student suicide rates.

Mandates two (2) hours annually of professional development in teen suicide awareness and prevention for all licensed public school personnel, with information on the relationship between bullying and suicide risk.

Creates two new positions: a school antibullying specialist appointed by each school principal to lead bullying investigations, and a district antibullying coordinator appointed by the superintendent to oversee district-wide bullying prevention policies.

Strengthens antibullying policies by clarifying definitions of bullying and cyberbullying, requiring investigations to be completed within ten (10) school days, and establishing procedures for parent notification, hearing rights, and reporting to school boards and the Department of Education.

Designates the week beginning with the first Monday in October as "Week of Kindness" and requires school districts to provide age-appropriate instruction on promoting kindness and preventing bullying during that week and throughout the school year.