Components of State Anti-Bullying Laws and Regulations
| Component | Included |
|---|---|
| Prohibiting statement | No |
| Definition | Yes |
| Scope | Yes |
| Protected groups | No |
| District policy requirement | Yes |
| Reporting and investigations | Yes |
| Consequences | Yes |
| Communication of policy | Yes |
| Safeguards and supports | No |
| Review and update of local policies | Yes |
| Prevention education | Yes |
| Staff training | Yes |
| Parent engagement | No |
Which Pennsylvania laws and regulations cover bullying?
- Pennsylvania Statute 24 §13-1302-A. Office for Safe Schools
- Pennsylvania Statute 24 §13-1303-A. Reporting
- Pennsylvania Statute 24 §13-1303.1-A. Policy relating to bullying
- Pennsylvania Statute 24 §13-1306-B. School safety and security grant program
- Pennsylvania Statute 24 §13-1309-B. School safety and security coordinator
- Pennsylvania Statute 24 §13-1310-B. School safety and security training
- Pennsylvania Consolidated Statute 18 §2801. Definitions
- Pennsylvania Consolidated Statute 18 §2802. Hazing
- Pennsylvania Consolidated Statute 18 §2803. Aggregated hazing
- Pennsylvania Consolidated Statute 18 §2804. Organizational hazing
- Pennsylvania Consolidated Statute 18 §2805. Institutional hazing
- Pennsylvania Consolidated Statute 18 §2806. Defenses prohibited
- Pennsylvania Consolidated Statute 18 §2807. Forfeiture
- Pennsylvania Consolidated Statute 18 §2808. Enforcement by institution or secondary school
- Pennsylvania Consolidated Statute 18 §2809. Institutional reports
- Pennsylvania Consolidated Statute 18 §2810. Safe harbor
- Pennsylvania Consolidated Statute 18 §2811. Civil remedies
How are bullying and cyberbullying defined in Pennsylvania anti-bullying laws and regulations?
Pennsylvania anti-bullying laws include the following definitions of bullying and cyberbullying:
“Bullying” shall mean an intentional electronic, written, verbal or physical act, or a series of acts:
(1) directed at another student or students;
(2) which occurs in a school setting;
(3) that is severe, persistent, or pervasive; and
(4) that has the effect of doing any of the following:
(i) substantially interfering with a student’s education;
(ii) creating a threatening environment; or
(iii) substantially disrupting the orderly operation of the school.
24 Pa. Stat. § 13-1303.1-A (2008)
Do Pennsylvania anti-bullying laws and regulations cover cyberbullying that occurs off-campus?
Yes. Pennsylvania anti-bullying laws state that a school entity shall not be prohibited from defining bullying in such a way as to encompass acts that occur outside a school setting if those acts meet the requirements contained in the bullying definition in state law.
What are the policy requirements for schools to prevent and respond to bullying behavior?
Pennsylvania school districts must adopt a policy or amend existing policies related to bullying and must incorporate the policy in the school entity’s code of conduct. School district policies must contain key policy and procedural elements, including, but not limited to:
- Definitions of bullying;
- Disciplinary consequences for violation of the policy;
- Designation of an appropriate school staff person to receive reports of incidents of alleged bullying;
- Procedures for reporting bullying incidents; and
- Requirements regarding how the policy will be publicized within the district.
Pennsylvania anti-bullying laws require school districts to review bullying policies every three years and annually provide the Office for Safe Schools with a copy of the policy, including information related to the development and implementation of any bullying prevention, intervention, and education programs. Pennsylvania anti-bullying laws also require districts to report to the Office of Safe Schools all incidents that qualify as bullying under the school district’s adopted definition of the term and that meet requirements for state reporting.
Do Pennsylvania anti-bullying laws and regulations include protections for specific groups?
No. There are no specific groups listed under Pennsylvania anti-bullying laws or regulations.
Pennsylvania schools that receive federal funding are required by federal law to address discrimination based on certain personal characteristics. Find out when bullying may be a civil rights violation.
Do Pennsylvania anti-bullying laws and regulations encourage or require districts to implement bullying prevention programs or strategies?
Yes. Pennsylvania anti-bullying laws encourage districts to provide for prevention, intervention, and education programs in school bullying policies. Pennsylvania anti-bullying laws also direct the state Office for Safe Schools to make targeted grants to school entities to fund the development and implementation of research-based violence prevention programs that address risk factors to reduce incidents of problem behaviors among students including, but not limited to, bullying. Pennsylvania anti-bullying laws also require each school entity to appoint a school safety and security coordinator who is responsible for coordinating training and resources for students and school entity staff in matters relating to bullying awareness.
Do Pennsylvania anti-bullying laws and regulations encourage or require districts to train teachers and other school staff on how to respond to bullying incidents?
Yes. Pennsylvania anti-bullying laws require school entities to provide employees with mandatory training on school safety and security including training addressing suicide and bullying awareness.
Do Pennsylvania anti-bullying laws and regulations encourage or require districts to provide safeguards or mental health supports for students involved with bullying?
No. Pennsylvania anti-bullying laws do not require districts to provide safeguards or mental health supports for students involved with bullying.
Do Pennsylvania anti-bullying laws and regulations involve parents in efforts to address bullying behavior?
No. Pennsylvania anti-bullying laws do not create expectations for parent involvement in addressing bullying.
For More Information
Visit the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s “Bullying Prevention” webpage bullying and harassment.
The key component framework used in the analysis of state laws is based on the review of legislation presented in the “Analysis of State Bullying Laws and Policies – December 2011” (U.S. Department of Education).