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Committee introduces RS32019 to require parent notification in serious bullying incidents
Summary
RS32019, presented by Rep. Chris Mathias, would require schools to have policies to notify families when bullying incidents are serious enough to result in suspension. The committee voted to introduce the RS for printing; members indicated interest in broader discussion of consequences for aggressors at the bill hearing.
Representative Chris Mathias told the committee that RS32019 is a targeted follow-up to last year’s House Bill 539 and focuses on parental notification when bullying incidents meet a threshold of seriousness.
Under the draft described by Mathias, a "serious" bullying incident would be defined operationally as an incident that results in suspension. In those cases, schools would be required to have a policy for notifying the families of both the alleged aggressor and the alleged victim; the RS does not prescribe the content of the policy but establishes the requirement that parents be informed so they can take appropriate steps.
Mathias said the approach was intended to strike a balance between notifying parents of significant incidents and avoiding overly broad automatic notifications for every minor bullying complaint. Representative Ehart thanked the sponsor and said she would like further discussion about consequences for students who bully, noting concerns that some students face little repercussion.
Representative Garner moved to introduce RS32019; the motion passed by voice vote. The committee did not take a roll-call vote. Mathias said line references in the RS (lines 34–35) are intended to provide legal recourse or resources in the most serious cases, including potentially criminal conduct, and he welcomed follow-up discussion on discipline and legal pathways at the public hearing.
The RS will be printed and scheduled for a bill hearing.
