MO HB2233

Requires all school districts to adopt an antibullying policy by September 1, 2007, defining bullying as intimidation or harassment that causes reasonable fear for safety, substantially interferes with educational performance, or disrupts school operations.

Expands the definition of bullying to include physical actions, oral communication, cyberbullying, electronic or written communication, and threats of retaliation, and prohibits bullying on school property, at school functions, or on school buses.

Mandates that district policies treat all students equally without specific lists of protected classes and requires eight minimum policy components including: prohibition statements, employee reporting requirements, anonymous reporting procedures, investigation protocols, response procedures, anti-retaliation protections, publicity statements, and staff training and student education processes.

Requires district employees to report any instance of bullying of which they have firsthand knowledge or reasonable cause to suspect, and mandates notification of parents or guardians of both the alleged bully and the bullying target.

Authorizes the state board of education to promulgate rules and regulations implementing the policy requirements and directs development of model policies to assist school districts by September 1, 2014.