HB 5783 Summary

• Requires school districts and public school academies to adopt and implement anti-bullying policies by June 6, 2012, including procedures for reporting, investigating, and documenting bullying incidents.

• Mandates schools respond within 48 hours to bullying reports with a plan including direct intervention, family intervention, and counseling referrals as appropriate.

• Provides immunity from liability for school employees, volunteers, pupils, and parents who report bullying in good faith, except for designated school officials responsible for remedying the bullying.

• Adds exception to mandatory weapon expulsion: if a student's actions leading to expulsion were precipitated by bullying, the student receives suspension (not more than 90 days) and alternative education instead of permanent expulsion, while the school investigates and may expel the alleged perpetrator.

• Establishes "Matt's Safe School Law" requiring policies to prohibit bullying and retaliation, identify responsible officials, publicize the policy, and report verified incidents annually to the school board.