SECOND REGULAR SESSION
94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE LAMPE.
Read 1st time February 28, 2008 and copies ordered printed.
D. ADAM CRUMBLISS, Chief Clerk
AN ACT
To repeal section 160.775, RSMo, and to enact in lieu thereof one new section relating to cyberbullying.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the state of Missouri, as follows:
Section A. Section 160.775, RSMo, is repealed and one new section enacted in lieu thereof, to be known as section 160.775, to read as follows:
160.775. 1. Every district shall adopt an antibullying policy by September 1, 2007.
2. "Bullying" means intimidation or harassment that causes a reasonable student to fear for his or her physical safety or property. Bullying may consist of physical actions, including gestures, or oral or written communication, and any threat of retaliation for reporting of such acts. Cyberbullying, as defined in subsection 3 of this section, constitutes bullying for purposes of this section.
3. "Cyberbullying" includes, but is not limited to, the use of computers, web sites, the Internet, cell phones, text messaging, chat rooms, and instant messages to ridicule, harass, intimidate, humiliate, or otherwise bully a student.
[3.] 4. Each district's antibullying policy shall be founded on the assumption that all students need a safe learning environment. Policies shall treat students equally and shall not contain specific lists of protected classes of students who are to receive special treatment. Policies may include age appropriate differences for schools based on the grade levels at the school. Each such policy shall contain a statement of the consequences of bullying.
[4.] 5. Each district's antibullying policy shall require district employees to report any instance of bullying of which the employee has firsthand knowledge. The district policy shall address training of employees in the requirements of the district policy.
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