Utah State Legislature

            (1) On or before September 1, 2013, each school board shall update the school board's bullying, cyber-bullying, harassment, hazing, and retaliation policy consistent with this chapter.

            (2) The policy shall:

            (a) be developed only with input from:

            (i) students;

            (ii) parents;

            (iii) teachers;

            (iv) school administrators;

            (v) school staff; or

            (vi) local law enforcement agencies; and

            (b) provide protection to a student, regardless of the student's legal status.

            (3) The policy shall include the following components:

            (a) definitions of bullying, cyber-bullying, harassment, and hazing that are consistent with this chapter;

            (b) language prohibiting bullying, cyber-bullying, harassment, and hazing;

            (c) language prohibiting retaliation against an individual who reports conduct that is prohibited under this chapter;

            (d) language prohibiting making a false report of bullying, cyber-bullying, harassment, hazing, or retaliation; and

            (e) as required in Section 53A-11a-203, parental notification of:

            (i) a student's threat to commit suicide; and

            (ii) an incident of bullying, cyber-bullying, harassment, hazing, or retaliation involving the parent's student.

            (4) A copy of the policy shall be included in student conduct handbooks and employee handbooks.

            (5) A policy may not permit formal disciplinary action that is based solely on an anonymous report of bullying, cyber-bullying, harassment, hazing, or retaliation.

            (6) Nothing in this chapter is intended to infringe upon the right of a school employee or student to exercise their right of free speech.

Amended by Chapter 335, 2013 General Session