Components of State Anti-Bullying Laws and Regulations
| Component | Included |
|---|---|
| Prohibiting statement | Yes |
| Definition | No |
| 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 | Yes |
| Staff training | No |
| Parent engagement | Yes |
Which Wisconsin state laws and regulations cover bullying?
- Wisconsin Statute §20.255. Public instruction, department of
- Wisconsin Statute §115.28. General duties
- Wisconsin Statute §118.02. Special observance days
- Wisconsin Statute §118.46. Policy on bullying
- Wisconsin Statute §118.51. Full-time open enrollment
- Wisconsin Statute §948.51. Hazing
- Wisconsin Administrative Code PI 9.01. Discrimination prohibited
- Wisconsin Administrative Code PI 9.02. Definitions
- Wisconsin Administrative Code PI 9.03. Policies
- Wisconsin Administrative Code PI 9.04. Complaint procedure
- Wisconsin Administrative Code PI 9.05. Public notice
- Wisconsin Administrative Code PI 9.06. Evaluation
- Wisconsin Administrative Code PI 9.07. Reporting
- Wisconsin Administrative Code PI 9.08. State superintendent
How are bullying and cyberbullying defined in Wisconsin anti-bullying laws and regulations?
Wisconsin anti-bullying laws do not include definitions of prohibited behavior.
Do Wisconsin anti-bullying laws and regulations cover cyberbullying that occurs off-campus?
No. Wisconsin anti-bullying laws do not cover off-campus conduct.
What are the policy requirements for schools to prevent and respond to bullying behavior?
Wisconsin anti-bullying laws require districts to adopt a policy prohibiting bullying by pupils. Wisconsin anti-bullying laws do not specify content of bullying policies, although districts may adopt a model bullying policy developed by the department of education. Wisconsin school districts must distribute copies of the policy annually to all pupils enrolled in the school district and to their parents or guardians and must provide a copy of the policy upon request.
Do Wisconsin anti-bullying laws and regulations include protections for specific groups?
No. There are no specific groups listed under Wisconsin anti-bullying laws or regulations. Wisconsin state regulations do list specific groups in separate non-discrimination policies that define "pupil harassment" as behavior towards pupils based, in whole or in part, on sex, race, religion, national origin, ancestry, creed, pregnancy, marital or parental status, sexual orientation or physical, mental, emotional or learning disability which substantially interferes with a pupil's school performance or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive school environment.
Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin anti-bullying laws and regulations encourage or require districts to implement bullying prevention programs or strategies?
Yes. Wisconsin anti-bullying laws direct the Department of Public Instruction to develop a model education and awareness program on bullying and to post the model program on its website. Wisconsin anti-bullying laws designate the Wednesday of the 4th week in September as Bullying Awareness Day. Wisconsin state law also authorizes the state superintendent to award grants to nonprofit organizations to provide training and an online bullying prevention curriculum for pupils in grades kindergarten to 8.
Do Wisconsin anti-bullying laws and regulations encourage or require districts to train teachers and other school staff on how to respond to bullying incidents?
No. Wisconsin anti-bullying laws and regulations do not require districts to train teachers and other staff on how to respond to bullying incidents.
Do Wisconsin anti-bullying laws and regulations encourage or require districts to provide safeguards or mental health supports for students involved with bullying?
No. Wisconsin anti-bullying laws do not require districts to provide safeguards or mental health supports for students involved with bullying.
Do Wisconsin anti-bullying laws and regulations involve parents in efforts to address bullying behavior?
Yes. Wisconsin’s model school policy on bullying must a requirement to notify the parent or guardian of each pupil involved in bullying incident. The model school policy may or may not be adopted by Wisconsin school districts.
For More Information
Visit the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction’s “A Comprehensive Approach to Bullying Prevention” webpage and/or view the Wisconsin 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).