North Dakota Code 15.1-19-18 – Bullying – Prohibition by policy
1. Each school district shall adopt a policy providing that while at a public school, on school district premises, in a district owned or leased schoolbus or school vehicle, or at any public school or school district sanctioned or sponsored activity or event, a student may not:
Terms Used In North Dakota Code 15.1-19-18
- Complaint: A written statement by the plaintiff stating the wrongs allegedly committed by the defendant.
- Individual: means a human being. See North Dakota Code 1-01-49
- Property: includes property, real and personal. See North Dakota Code 1-01-49
a. Engage in bullying; or
b. Engage in reprisal or retaliation against: (1) A victim of bullying; (2) An individual who witnesses an alleged act of bullying; (3) An individual who reports an alleged act of bullying; or
(4) An individual who provides information about an alleged act of bullying.
2. The policy required by this section must:
a. Include a definition of bullying that at least encompasses the conduct described in section 15.1-19-17; b. Establish procedures for reporting and documenting alleged acts of bullying, reprisal, or retaliation, and include procedures for anonymous reporting of such acts; c. Establish procedures, including timelines, for school district personnel to follow in investigating reports of alleged bullying, reprisal, or retaliation; d. Establish a schedule for the retention of any documents generated while investigating reports of alleged bullying, reprisal, or retaliation; e. Set forth the disciplinary measures applicable to an individual who engaged in bullying or who engaged in reprisal or retaliation, as set forth in subsection 1; f. Require the notification of law enforcement personnel if school district personnel have a reasonable suspicion that a crime might have occurred on or off school district property; g. Establish strategies to protect a victim of bullying, reprisal, or retaliation; and
h. Establish disciplinary measures to be imposed upon an individual who makes a false accusation, report, or complaint pertaining to bullying, reprisal, or retaliation.
3. In developing the bullying policy required by this section, a school district shall involve parents, school district employees, volunteers, students, school district administrators, law enforcement personnel, domestic violence sexual assault organizations as defined by subsection 3 of section 14-07.1-01, and community representatives.
4. Upon completion of the policy required by this section, a school district shall:
a. Ensure that the policy is explained to and discussed with its students; b. File a copy of the policy with the superintendent of public instruction; and c. Make the policy available in student and personnel handbooks.
5. Each school district shall review and revise its policy as it determines necessary and shall file a copy of the revised policy with the superintendent of public instruction.