HI HB819

Requires all state and county agencies and grantees serving youth to adopt and enforce bullying prevention policies covering agency property, sponsored functions, transportation, and electronic communications directed at youth.

Defines bullying as severe, pervasive, or persistent physical, electronic, or verbal conduct based on actual or perceived race, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, color, religion, ancestry, disability, or association with such persons that causes reasonable fear of harm, detrimental health effects, interference with academics, or loss of access to services.

Each bullying prevention policy must include the definition, prohibition statement, retaliation protection, code of conduct, consequences including alternative discipline options, reporting procedures, investigation processes, parent notification procedures, and appeal processes.

Establishes an eleven-member bullying prevention task force within the Department of Education to develop model policies, assist agencies in compliance, provide employee and volunteer training requirements, and review policy effectiveness.

Appropriates unspecified funds for fiscal years 2015-2016 and 2016-2017 to support the task force operations, with agencies required to adopt policies within one year of the effective date.