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Anti-bullying bill requiring parental notification and training wins committee approval
Summary
House Bill 1933, a pared-down anti-bullying measure, would require one-time professional development for school board members, teacher training on bullying prevention, parental notification when a credible bullying complaint is found, and Department guidance including cyberbullying in the definition.
House Bill 1933, presented by Representative Jimmy Gassaway, seeks to strengthen anti-bullying policy in Arkansas by requiring targeted professional development, teacher training on bullying prevention and its link to suicide risk, and a parental-notification requirement for credible bullying complaints.
Key provisions: The bill mandates a one-time, two-hour professional-development session for school board members on school safety and student discipline, two hours of training for teachers on bullying prevention, and a parental-notification requirement that schools notify guardians of a victim "as soon as reasonably practicable" when there is a credible complaint of bullying. If an investigation later determines the allegation was bullying, the bill requires notification of the alleged perpetrator's parents. Representative Gassaway emphasized the need for a guidance document from the Department of Education to clarify what constitutes bullying and to distinguish it from everyday conflicts.
Rationale and committee discussion: The sponsor cited CDC school-survey statistics showing high reported bullying and youth mental-health concerns to justify the measure. Committee members asked about curriculum delivery and timing; the sponsor said the Department can deliver or approve curricula and that training would apply beginning the next school year.
Committee action: The committee passed the bill after discussion; no appropriation was required for the training mandate as written.
