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 | Yes |
| Consequences | Yes |
| Communication of policy | Yes |
| Safeguards and supports | No |
| Review and update of local policies | No |
| Prevention education | No |
| Staff training | Yes |
| Parent engagement | No |
Which Kentucky state laws and regulations cover bullying?
- Kentucky Revised Statutes Annotated §2.227. Anti-Bullying Month
- Kentucky Revised Statutes Annotated §158.148. Definition of “bullying” – discipline guidelines and model policy – Local code of acceptable behavior and discipline – Required contents of code
- Kentucky Revised Statutes Annotated §158.441. Definitions for chapter
- Kentucky Revised Statutes Annotated §158.444. Administrative regulations relating to school safety – role of department of education to maintain statewide data collection system – reportable incidents – annual statistical reports – confidentiality
- Kentucky Revised Statutes Annotated §525.070. Harassment
- Kentucky Revised Statutes Annotated §525.080. Harassing communications
How are bullying and cyberbullying defined in Kentucky anti-bullying laws and regulations?
Kentucky anti-bullying laws include the following definition of bullying:
“Bullying” means any unwanted verbal, physical, or social behavior among students that involves a real or perceived power imbalance and is repeated or has the potential to be repeated:
1. That occurs on school premises, on school-sponsored transportation, or at a school-sponsored event; or
2. That disrupts the education process.
Ky. Rev. Stat. § 158.148 (2016)
Do Kentucky anti-bullying laws and regulations cover cyberbullying that occurs off-campus?
Yes. Kentucky anti-bullying laws cover off-campus conduct by imposing criminal sanctions for harassing communications.
What are the policy requirements for schools to prevent and respond to bullying behavior?
Kentucky anti-bullying laws require school districts to formulate a code of acceptable behavior and discipline that prohibits bullying. The discipline code must contain key policy and procedural elements, including, but not limited to:
- Statements prohibiting bullying;
- Descriptions of the types of behavior expected from each student;
- Disciplinary consequences for students who fail to obey discipline standards and statements regarding the importance of the standards to the maintenance of a safe learning environment;
- Procedures for identifying, documenting, and reporting incidents of bullying;
- Procedures for investigating and responding to bullying complaints, including reporting incidents to the parents or legal guardians of the students involved;
- Strategies or methods of protecting students from retaliation for reporting an incident of bullying; and
- Processes for informing students, parents, legal guardians, and school employees of the requirements of the code, including training for school employees.
Kentucky anti-bullying laws require districts to update codes of discipline no less frequently than every two years and to report data on major discipline problems to the state.
Do Kentucky anti-bullying laws and regulations include protections for specific groups?
No. There are no specific groups listed under Kentucky anti-bullying laws or regulations.
Kentucky 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 Kentucky anti-bullying laws and regulations encourage or require districts to implement bullying prevention programs or strategies?
No. Kentucky anti-bullying laws do not require districts to implement bullying prevention programs or strategies.
Do Kentucky anti-bullying laws and regulations encourage or require districts to train teachers and other school staff on how to respond to bullying incidents?
Yes. Kentucky school district codes of discipline must include a process for informing students, parents, legal guardians, and school employees of the requirements of the code, including training for school employees.
Do Kentucky anti-bullying laws and regulations encourage or require districts to provide safeguards or mental health supports for students involved with bullying?
No. Kentucky anti-bullying laws do not require districts to provide safeguards or mental health supports for students involved with bullying.
Do Kentucky anti-bullying laws and regulations involve parents in efforts to address bullying behavior?
Yes. Kentucky anti-bullying laws require school districts to report incidents of bullying to the parents, legal guardians, or other persons exercising custodial control or supervision of the students involved.
For More Information
Visit the Kentucky Department of Education’s “Bullying and Harassment” webpage and/or view the Kentucky 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).