SB 1462 Summary

• Adds a definition of "bullying" to Arizona law as written, verbal, or electronic acts intended to harm students by substantially interfering with educational opportunities, causing emotional distress, affecting physical or mental health, or disrupting school operations.

• Requires charter schools to adopt comprehensive anti-bullying policies including reporting procedures, investigation processes, disciplinary actions, documentation requirements, and staff training, with policies also permitting discipline for off-campus bullying that creates a hostile school environment.

• Requires traditional public school districts to adopt the same bullying prevention policies and procedures, including electronic communication restrictions, victim protections, confidential reporting mechanisms, and education programs for students and parents.

• Mandates that all student bullying prevention training be neutral and not focused on particular bullied classes, but rather emphasize that bullying is prohibited regardless of subject matter or perpetrator motivation, with parental notification and opt-out rights required.

• Establishes that policies must use the statutory definition of bullying and maintain incident documentation for at least six years without using reports for discipline unless investigation confirms the bullying occurred.