MI HB4580

School districts, intermediate school districts, and public school academies must adopt and implement a policy prohibiting bullying or harassment at school within 6 months of the effective date.

Boards must hold at least one public hearing on the proposed policy before adoption and submit a copy to the Department of Education within 30 days of adoption.

"At school" includes conduct in classrooms, on school premises, on school buses, at school-sponsored activities, and off-premises conduct using school-owned or school-controlled telecommunications devices.

"Bullying or harassment" means abuse by one or more pupils that substantially interferes with educational opportunities, adversely affects participation in school programs by causing fear of harm or emotional distress, or is motivated by animus toward an actual or perceived characteristic.

The Department of Education must submit a report to the legislature within one year summarizing implementation status of bullying and harassment policies across all districts and schools.