MO HB1698

Designates the amended statute as "Sawyer's Law" and expands the definition of bullying to include intimidation and unwanted aggressive behavior, while prohibiting zero-tolerance disciplinary policies for bullying victims

Requires employees who witness bullying to report incidents immediately rather than within two school days, and mandates written investigation reports be completed within ten school days

Requires schools to consider self-defense when disciplining students for violent behavior and provides liability protection for employees who intervene in bullying incidents in good faith

Mandates monthly reporting of all bullying incidents, acts of school violence, and crimes to school boards for review in closed session, with discrepancies to be resolved within 30 days

Prohibits charter schools from expelling or transferring students solely due to bullying reports made against them, and requires referral to law enforcement for bullying that meets second-degree harassment criteria