HB 1216  - AS INTRODUCED

 

 

2024 SESSION

24-2470

11/05

 

HOUSE BILL 1216

 

AN ACT relative to cross-district bullying and cyberbullying.

 

SPONSORS: Rep. K. Perez, Rock. 16; Rep. Panek, Hills. 1; Rep. Cambrils, Merr. 4; Rep. Dunn, Rock. 16; Rep. Kuttab, Rock. 17; Rep. A. Lekas, Hills. 38; Rep. McDonnell, Rock. 25; Sen. Innis, Dist 7

 

COMMITTEE: Education

 

-----------------------------------------------------------------

 

ANALYSIS

 

This bill provides that bullying or cyberbullying may occur across school districts and identifies which district will be responsible for the investigation of such claims.

 

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

 

Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.

Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]

Matter which is either (a) all new or(b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

24-2470

11/05

 

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

 

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty Four

 

AN ACT relative to cross-district bullying and cyberbullying.

 

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

 

1  New Paragraph; Definitions; Cross-district.  Amend RSA 193-F:3 by inserting after paragraph I the following new paragraph:

I-a.  "Cross-district" means across school districts.

2  Pupil Safety and Violence Prevention.  Amend RSA 193-F:4, I to read as follows:

I.  Bullying or cyberbullying shall occur when an action or communication as defined in RSA 193-F:3:

(a)  Occurs on, or is delivered to, school property or a school-sponsored activity or event on or off school property[.], whether cross-district or in a single district; or

(b)  Occurs off of school property or outside of a school-sponsored activity or event, if the conduct interferes with a pupil's educational opportunities or substantially disrupts the orderly operations of the school or school-sponsored activity or event[.], whether cross-district or in a single district.

3  Investigation.  Amend RSA 193-F:4, II(j) to read as follows:

(j)  A written procedure for investigation of reports, to be initiated within 5 school days of the reported incident, identifying either the principal or the principal's designee as the person responsible for the investigation and the manner and time period in which the results of the investigation shall be documented.  The superintendent or designee may grant in writing an extension of the time period for the investigation and documentation of reports for up to an additional 7 school days, if necessary.  The superintendent or superintendent's designee shall notify in writing all parties involved of the granting of an extension.  In the case of cross-district bullying or cyberbullying, the district where the action originated is responsible for the investigation.

4  Effective Date.  This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.