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House Bill 44 advances from committee, narrows earlier bullying proposal to serious incidents and reporting procedures
Summary
Representative Chris Mathias said House Bill 44 narrows an earlier draft to require district policies for reporting serious incidents of harassment, intimidation or bullying that lead to suspension and to notify law enforcement where conduct may violate criminal law; the committee voted to send the bill to the House floor with a due-pass report.
Representative Chris Mathias introduced House Bill 44 to the House Education Committee as a narrowed substitute for a larger bill considered last year. "What isn't in House Bill 44 that was in House Bill 539 was the following," Mathias said, explaining HB44 applies only to "serious incidents" (those that result in a form of suspension) and removes a prior requirement that schools send specified information home after every bullying allegation.
Mathias said the intent is to ensure families and caregivers of students involved in serious bullying incidents "are aware of the severity of the situation so that they can do their part as parents and caregivers to make sure that these situations are being addressed." The bill requires districts to include a procedure for reporting serious incidents; it also requires that law enforcement be notified if the alleged conduct may violate criminal law.
Representative Harris asked whether the criminal-law notification requirement could capture relatively low-level misconduct and unduly involve law enforcement. In response Representative Thais said the provision would not place criminal offenses on a child's record without proper investigation and due process: "No student is gonna have a crime put on the record if they didn't commit a crime," the representative said, describing current practice in which building administrators contact school resource officers when they suspect a criminal act.
Representative Garner moved that the committee send House Bill 44 to the House floor with a due-pass recommendation. The committee voted in favor by voice vote and the motion carried; the transcript records the chair calling for "aye" and the committee approving the measure to go to the floor.
Ending: With the due-pass recommendation the bill advances to the House for further consideration; committee discussion noted the bill's narrower scope compared with prior drafts and emphasized parental engagement and existing practices for involving law enforcement in potential criminal matters.
