Components of State Anti-Bullying Laws and Regulations
| Component | Included |
|---|---|
| Prohibiting statement | Yes |
| Definition | Yes |
| Scope | Yes |
| Protected groups | No |
| District policy requirement | Yes |
| Reporting and investigations | No |
| Consequences | No |
| Communication of policy | No |
| Safeguards and supports | No |
| Review and update of local policies | No |
| Prevention education | Yes |
| Staff training | Yes |
| Parent engagement | No |
Which Kansas state laws and regulations cover bullying?
- Kansas Statutes Annotated §72-3237. Disability history and awareness; objectives, guidelines and goals
- Kansas Statutes Annotated §72-6147. Bullying, school district policies
How are bullying and cyberbullying defined in Kansas anti-bullying laws and regulations?
Kansas anti-bullying laws include the following definitions of bullying and cyberbullying:
“Bullying” means:
(A) Any intentional gesture or any intentional written, verbal, electronic or physical act or threat either by any student, staff member or parent towards a student or by any student, staff member or parent towards a staff member that is sufficiently severe, persistent or pervasive that such gesture, act or threat creates an intimidating, threatening or abusive educational environment that a reasonable person, under the circumstances, knows or should know will have the effect of:
(i) Harming a student or staff member, whether physically or mentally;
(ii) damaging a student’s or staff member’s property;
(iii) placing a student or staff member in reasonable fear of harm to the student or staff member; or
(iv) placing a student or staff member in reasonable fear of damage to the student’s or staff member’s property;
(B) cyberbullying; or
(C) any other form of intimidation or harassment prohibited by the board of education of the school district in policies concerning bullying adopted pursuant to this section or subsection (e) of K.S.A. 72-8205, and amendments thereto.
“Cyberbullying” means bullying by use of any electronic communication device through means including, but not limited to, e-mail, instant messaging, text messages, blogs, mobile phones, pagers, online games and websites.
Kan. Stat. Ann. § 72-6147 (2013)
Do Kansas anti-bullying laws and regulations cover cyberbullying that occurs off-campus?
No. Kansas anti-bullying laws do not cover off-campus conduct.
What are the policy requirements for schools to prevent and respond to bullying behavior?
Kansas school districts must adopt a policy to prohibit bullying and must adopt and implement a plan to address bullying. Kansas anti-bullying laws do not specify required content of district policies or plans.
Do Kansas anti-bullying laws and regulations include protections for specific groups?
No. There are no specific groups listed under Kansas anti-bullying laws or regulations.
Kansas 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 Kansas anti-bullying laws and regulations encourage or require districts to implement bullying prevention programs or strategies?
Yes. Kansas school districts must adopt and implement a plan to address bullying that includes provisions for the training and education for staff members and students.
Do Kansas anti-bullying laws and regulations encourage or require districts to train teachers and other school staff on how to respond to bullying incidents?
Yes. Kansas school districts must adopt and implement a plan to address bullying that includes provisions for the training and education of staff members and students.
Do Kansas anti-bullying laws and regulations encourage or require districts to provide safeguards or mental health supports for students involved with bullying?
No. Kansas anti-bullying laws do not require districts to provide safeguards or mental health supports for students involved with bullying.
Do Kansas anti-bullying laws and regulations involve parents in efforts to address bullying behavior?
No. Kansas anti-bullying laws do not create expectations for parent involvement in addressing bullying behavior.
For More Information
Visit the Kansas State Department of Education’s “Bullying Prevention” webpage and/or view the Kansas state model policy on 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).