A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning education.

Plain English Breakdown

The bill summary does not specify all details about the duties of the ombudsman or the oversight committees.

Bullying Prevention in Indiana Schools

This bill establishes a state bullying ombudsman and requires each school corporation to establish a bullying oversight committee with specific duties.

What This Bill Does

• Establishes a state bullying ombudsman position within the Department of Education.
• Requires the department to provide staff and administrative support for the ombudsman, and post the ombudsman's contact information on the department's website.
• Requires each school corporation to establish a bullying oversight committee with specific duties.
• Allows parents to submit complaints if they believe their child's bullying or physical assault incident was not properly investigated or resolved.
• Provides that a parent may request a hearing before the governing body of the school corporation regarding a complaint under certain circumstances.
• Requires the department to adopt and post guidelines and model training materials for committee members on its website.

Who It Names or Affects

• Students in Indiana schools
• Parents of students involved in bullying incidents
• School administrators and staff

Terms To Know

Bullying ombudsman

A person appointed to handle complaints about bullying in schools.

Bullying oversight committee

A group within each school corporation that oversees and addresses bullying incidents.

Limits and Unknowns

• The bill does not specify when it will take effect.
• It is unclear how much funding will be provided for the new positions and requirements.

Official Summary Text

A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning education.
Bullying oversight committees and ombudsman.

Current Bill Text

A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning education.

Bullying oversight committees and ombudsman.

Establishes a state bullying ombudsman (ombudsman) position within the department of education (department). Establishes the duties of the ombudsman. Requires the department to: (1) provide staff and administrative support for the ombudsman; and (2) post the ombudsman's contact information on the department's website. Requires each school corporation to provide the ombudsman's contact information in certain rules, policies, and notices. Requires, with an exception, each school corporation to establish a bullying oversight committee (committee). Establishes the membership, authority, and duties of a committee. Provides that a parent of a targeted student may submit a complaint to the committee if the parent believes that: (1) the school administration failed to investigate a bullying or physical assault incident involving the targeted student; or (2) the resolution of an incident was insufficient or ineffective. Requires the department to adopt and post on the department's website guidelines and model training materials for committee members. Provides that a parent may, under certain circumstances, request a hearing before the governing body of the school corporation regarding a complaint. Establishes requirements for a governing body of a school corporation that receives a request for a hearing. Provides that a parent of a targeted student or parent of an alleged perpetrator may view any video evidence related to a bullying incident or physical assault involving the student for which a complaint or request for a hearing has been submitted.