ND SB2181

Amends North Dakota Century Code sections 15.1-19-17 and 15.1-19-18 to expand the definition of bullying to include cyberbullying conducted through electronic devices outside school premises.

Defines cyberbullying as conduct received or sent by a student through electronic devices while outside school that places the student in actual and reasonable fear of harm or property damage and substantially interferes with educational opportunities or disrupts school operations.

Requires school districts to adopt bullying policies that include procedures for reporting, documenting, and investigating alleged bullying incidents with specific timelines and retention schedules for investigation documents.

Mandates school district personnel notify law enforcement if investigation reveals reasonable suspicion that a crime may have occurred on or off school property.

Requires policies to establish strategies to protect victims, disciplinary measures for perpetrators and those retaliating, and penalties for false accusations; policies must be filed with the superintendent of public instruction and made available in student and personnel handbooks.