HI HB819

Requires all state and county agencies and grantees serving youth, as well as public schools and public charter schools receiving state or county funding, to adopt and enforce bullying prevention policies.

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 other distinguishing characteristics that causes reasonable fear of harm, detrimental health effects, interference with academics, or inability to access services.

Mandates bullying prevention policies include definitions, prohibitions on retaliation, code of conduct, consequences and alternative discipline options, reporting procedures, investigation protocols, parent notification procedures, and appeal processes.

Establishes an 11-member bullying prevention task force to develop model policies, assist agencies in compliance, compile resources, review policies for compliance, and create guidelines for evaluating policy effectiveness within two years.

Appropriates unspecified funds for fiscal years 2015-2016 and 2016-2017 to support the bullying prevention task force; effective date January 7, 2059.