MI SB0275

School districts, intermediate school districts, and public school academies must adopt and implement a policy prohibiting bullying or harassment within 6 months of the law's 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 events, and off-campus conduct using school-controlled telecommunications devices.

"Bullying or harassment" includes abuse that substantially interferes with educational opportunities, places pupils in fear of physical harm or causes emotional distress, or is motivated by animus toward an actual or perceived characteristic.

The Department of Education must submit a report to the legislature summarizing policy implementation status within one year of the adoption deadline, and the law is titled "Matt's Safe School Law."