Changes in Bullying Prevention Policy Requirements

PA 103-47 is in effect for the 2023-2024 school year, and requires changes to all school district’s bullying prevention policies.

Among the changes, the statute expands the list of categories which may constitute bullying, including bullying on the basis of physical appearance, socioeconomic status, academic status, pregnancy, parenting status, and homelessness, in addition to the previously identified bases of actual or perceived race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry age, marital status, physical or mental disability, military status, sexual orientation, gender-related identity or expression, unfavorable discharge from military service, association with a person or group with one or more of the aforementioned actual or perceived characteristics, or any other distinguishing characteristic.

Also, policy requirements for parent notification have become more specific – including a specific timeline for parent or guardian notification:

Parents or guardians of all students involved in the alleged incident of bullying [shall be notified] within 24 hours after the school’s administration is made aware of the students’ involvement in the incident and discussing, as appropriate, the availability of social work services, counseling, school psychological services, other interventions, and restorative measures. The school shall make diligent efforts to notify a parent or legal guardian, utilizing all contact information the school has available or that can be reasonably obtained by the school within the 24-hour period.

This notification also applies to “all threats, suggestions, or instances of self-harm determined to be the result of bullying” in the same time period.