§ 15.1-19-18 — Bullying - Prohibition by policy

North Dakota § 15.1-19-18

• Jurisdiction: North Dakota
• Title 15.1: Elementary and Secondary Education
• Ch. 15.1-19: Students and Safety

Text

1. Each school district shall adopt a policy providing that while at a public school, on
school district premises, in a district owned or leased schoolbus or school vehicle, or
at any public school or school district sanctioned or sponsored activity or event, a
student may not:
a. Engage in bullying; or

b. Engage in reprisal or retaliation against:
(1) A victim of bullying;
(2) An individual who witnesses an alleged act of bullying;
(3) An individual who reports an alleged act of bullying; or
(4) An individual who provides information about an alleged act of bullying.
2. The policy required by this section must:
a. Include a definition of bullying that at least encompasses the conduct described in
section 15.1-19-17;
b. Establish procedures for reporting and documenting alleged acts of bullying,
reprisal, or retaliation, and include procedures for anonymous reporting of such
acts;
c. Establish procedures, including timelines, for school district personnel to follow in
investigating reports of alleged bullying, reprisal, or retaliation;
d. Establish a schedule for the retention of any documents generated while
investigating reports of alleged bullying, reprisal, or retaliation;
e. Set forth the disciplinary measures applicable to an individual who engaged in
bullying or who engaged in reprisal or retaliation, as set forth in subsection 1;
f. Require the notification of law enforcement personnel if school district personnel
have a reasonable suspicion that a crime might have occurred on or off school
district property;
g. Establish strategies to protect a victim of bullying, reprisal, or retaliation; and
h. Establish disciplinary measures to be imposed upon an individual who makes a
false accusation, report, or complaint pertaining to bullying, reprisal, or retaliation.
3. In developing the bullying policy required by this section, a school district shall involve
parents, school district employees, volunteers, students, school district administrators,
law enforcement personnel, domestic violence sexual assault organizations as defined
by subsection 3 of section 14-07.1-01, and community representatives.
4. Upon completion of the policy required by this section, a school district shall:
a. Ensure that the policy is explained to and discussed with its students;
b. File a copy of the policy with the superintendent of public instruction; and
c. Make the policy available in student and personnel handbooks.
5. Each school district shall review and revise its policy as it determines necessary and
shall file a copy of the revised policy with the superintendent of public instruction.