OH SB197

Creates the criminal offense of "aggravated bullying" as a third-degree misdemeanor for students who knowingly cause another student to believe they will cause serious emotional or physical harm to the student, their property, unborn child, or immediate family members.

Requires school districts to implement a tiered disciplinary procedure for harassment, intimidation, or bullying violations: warning (1st), peer mediation (2nd), parent meeting (3rd), in-school suspension (4th), out-of-school suspension (5th), and referral to prosecuting attorney for criminal charges (6th).

Mandates school boards establish diverse peer mediation teams in each building and develop anti-bullying policies in consultation with parents, employees, volunteers, students, and community members.

Requires all students receive annual age-appropriate instruction on preventing harassment, intimidation, and bullying in school and about board policies, with written statements sent to parents annually.

Provides immunity from civil liability for school employees, students, and volunteers who report incidents of harassment, intimidation, or bullying in good faith and in compliance with school policies.