As part of the Fiscal Year 2014 Budget signed on July 12, 2013, Governor Deval Patrick approved an amendment to the state’s Bullying Prevention Law (M.G.L. c. 71, §37O). The amendment extends the original Bullying Prevention Law to include bullying of students by school staff. Originally, the Bullying Law only applied to student-on-student bullying.
The amendments expand the definitions of “bullying” and “perpetrator” to include school staff. “School staff” is defined to encompass “an educator, administrator, school nurse, cafeteria worker, custodian, bus driver, athletic coach, advisor to an extracurricular activity or paraprofessional.” The law also amends the first paragraph of subsection (d) to state that a bullying prevention and intervention plan shall apply not only to students, but to members of the school staff as well.
In light of these changes, districts should revise anti-bullying policies, handbook statements and bullying prevention and intervention plans. In addition, staff should be advised of these changes. Contact your NMP attorney for more information and advice.
