Tex. Educ. Code Section 37.0832
Bullying Prevention Policies and Procedures


(a)

In this section:

(1)

“Bullying”:

(A)

means a single significant act or a pattern of acts by one or more students directed at another student that exploits an imbalance of power and involves engaging in written or verbal expression, expression through electronic means, or physical conduct that satisfies the applicability requirements provided by Subsection (a-1), and that:
(i)
has the effect or will have the effect of physically harming a student, damaging a student’s property, or placing a student in reasonable fear of harm to the student’s person or of damage to the student’s property;
(ii)
is sufficiently severe, persistent, or pervasive enough that the action or threat creates an intimidating, threatening, or abusive educational environment for a student;
(iii)
materially and substantially disrupts the educational process or the orderly operation of a classroom or school; or
(iv)
infringes on the rights of the victim at school; and

(B)

includes cyberbullying.

(2)

“Cyberbullying” means bullying that is done through the use of any electronic communication device, including through the use of a cellular or other type of telephone, a computer, a camera, electronic mail, instant messaging, text messaging, a social media application, an Internet website, or any other Internet-based communication tool.

(a-1)

This section applies to:

(1)

bullying that occurs on or is delivered to school property or to the site of a school-sponsored or school-related activity on or off school property;

(2)

bullying that occurs on a publicly or privately owned school bus or vehicle being used for transportation of students to or from school or a school-sponsored or school-related activity; and

(3)

cyberbullying that occurs off school property or outside of a school-sponsored or school-related activity if the cyberbullying:

(A)

interferes with a student’s educational opportunities; or

(B)

substantially disrupts the orderly operation of a classroom, school, or school-sponsored or school-related activity.

(b)

Repealed by Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 522 (S.B. 179), Sec. 15, eff. September 1, 2017.

(c)

The board of trustees of each school district shall adopt a policy, including any necessary procedures, concerning bullying that:

(1)

prohibits the bullying of a student;

(2)

prevents and mediates bullying incidents between students that:

(A)

interfere with a student’s educational opportunities; or

(B)

substantially disrupt the orderly operation of a classroom, school, or school-sponsored or school-related activity;

(3)

prohibits retaliation against any person, including a victim, a witness, or another person, who in good faith provides information concerning an incident of bullying;

(4)

establishes a procedure for providing notice of an incident of bullying to:

(A)

a parent or guardian of the alleged victim on or before the third business day after the date the incident is reported; and

(B)

a parent or guardian of the alleged bully within a reasonable amount of time after the incident;

(5)

establishes the actions a student should take to obtain assistance and intervention in response to bullying;

(6)

sets out the available counseling options for a student who is a victim of or a witness to bullying or who engages in bullying;

(7)

establishes procedures for reporting an incident of bullying, including procedures for a student to anonymously report an incident of bullying, investigating a reported incident of bullying, and determining whether the reported incident of bullying occurred;

(8)

prohibits the imposition of a disciplinary measure on a student who, after an investigation, is found to be a victim of bullying, on the basis of that student’s use of reasonable self-defense in response to the bullying;

(9)

requires that discipline for bullying of a student with disabilities comply with applicable requirements under federal law, including the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. Section 1400 et seq.); and

(10)

complies with the minimum standards adopted by the agency under Subsection (c-1).

(c-1)

The agency shall adopt minimum standards for a school district’s policy under Subsection (c). The standards must:

(1)

include an emphasis on bullying prevention by focusing on school climate and building healthy relationships between students and staff;

(2)

require each district campus to establish a committee to address bullying by focusing on prevention efforts and health and wellness initiatives;

(3)

require students at each grade level to meet periodically for instruction on building relationships and preventing bullying, including cyberbullying;

(4)

include an emphasis on increasing student reporting of bullying incidents to school employees by:

(A)

increasing awareness about district reporting procedures; and

(B)

providing for anonymous reporting of bullying incidents;

(5)

require districts to:

(A)

collect information annually through student surveys on bullying, including cyberbullying; and

(B)

use those survey results to develop action plans to address student concerns regarding bullying, including cyberbullying; and

(6)

require districts to develop a rubric or checklist to assess an incident of bullying and to determine the district’s response to the incident.

(d)

The policy and any necessary procedures adopted under Subsection (c) must be included:

(1)

annually, in the student and employee school district handbooks; and

(2)

in the district improvement plan under Section 11.252 (District-level Planning and Decision-making).

(e)

The procedure for reporting bullying established under Subsection (c) must be posted on the district’s Internet website to the extent practicable.

(f)

Repealed by Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 972 (S.B. 2050), Sec. 3, eff. June 18, 2021.
Added by Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 776 (H.B. 1942), Sec. 7, eff. June 17, 2011.
Amended by:
Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 522 (S.B. 179), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2017.
Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 522 (S.B. 179), Sec. 15, eff. September 1, 2017.
Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 972 (S.B. 2050), Sec. 1, eff. June 18, 2021.
Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 972 (S.B. 2050), Sec. 3, eff. June 18, 2021.

Source: Section 37.0832 — Bullying Prevention Policies and Procedures, https://statutes.­capitol.­texas.­gov/Docs/ED/htm/ED.­37.­htm#37.­0832 (accessed Mar. 16, 2024).

37.001
Student Code of Conduct
37.002
Removal by Teacher
37.003
Placement Review Committee
37.004
Placement of Students with Disabilities
37.005
Suspension
37.006
Removal for Certain Conduct
37.007
Expulsion for Serious Offenses
37.008
Disciplinary Alternative Education Programs
37.009
Conference
37.010
Court Involvement
37.0011
Use of Corporal Punishment
37.011
Juvenile Justice Alternative Education Program
37.0012
Designation of Campus Behavior Coordinator
37.012
Funding of Juvenile Justice Alternative Education Programs
37.0013
Positive Behavior Program
37.013
Coordination Between School Districts and Juvenile Boards
37.014
Court-related Children--liaison Officers
37.015
Reports to Local Law Enforcement
37.016
Report of Drug Offenses
37.017
Destruction of Certain Records
37.018
Information for Educators
37.019
Emergency Placement or Expulsion
37.020
Reports Relating to Out-of-school Suspensions, Expulsions, and Disciplinary Alternative Education Program Placements
37.021
Opportunity to Complete Courses During In-school and Certain Other Placements
37.0021
Use of Confinement, Restraint, Seclusion, and Time-out
37.0022
Removal by School Bus Driver
37.022
Notice of Disciplinary Action
37.023
Transition from Alternative Education Program to Regular Classroom
37.0023
Prohibited Aversive Techniques
37.051
Establishment
37.0051
Placement of Students Committing Sexual Assault Against Another Student
37.052
Cooperative Programs
37.0052
Placement or Expulsion of Students Who Have Engaged in Certain Bullying Behavior
37.053
Cooperation of Governmental Agencies
37.054
Parental Notice, Consent, and Access to Information
37.055
Parental Involvement
37.056
Court Supervision
37.0061
Funding for Alternative Education Services in Juvenile Residential Facilities
37.0062
Instructional Requirements for Alternative Education Services in Juvenile Residential Facilities
37.081
School District Peace Officers, School Resource Officers, and Security Personnel
37.0081
Expulsion and Placement of Certain Students in Alternative Settings
37.082
Possession of Paging Devices
37.0082
Assessment of Academic Growth of Students in Disciplinary Alternative Education Programs
37.083
Discipline Management Programs
37.084
Interagency Sharing of Records
37.085
Arrests Prohibited for Certain Class C Misdemeanors
37.086
Required Posting of Warning Signs of Increased Trafficking Penalties
37.087
Immunity from Liability
37.089
Role of Persons Carrying a Firearm on School Grounds
37.0091
Notice to Noncustodial Parent
37.101
Applicability of Criminal Laws
37.102
Rules
37.103
Enforcement of Rules
37.104
Courts Having Jurisdiction
37.105
Unauthorized Persons: Refusal of Entry, Ejection, Identification
37.106
Vehicle Identification Insignia
37.107
Trespass on School Grounds
37.108
Multihazard Emergency Operations Plan
37.109
School Safety and Security Committee
37.110
Information Regarding Gang-free Zones
37.113
Notification Regarding Bomb Threat or Terroristic Threat
37.114
Best Practices for Emergency School Drills and Exercises
37.115
Threat Assessment and Safe and Supportive School Program and Team
37.117
Silent Panic Alert Technology
37.119
Certain Private Provider Access to School Safety Training
37.121
Fraternities, Sororities, Secret Societies, and Gangs
37.122
Possession of Intoxicants on Public School Grounds
37.123
Disruptive Activities
37.124
Disruption of Classes
37.125
Exhibition, Use, or Threat of Exhibition or Use of Firearms
37.126
Disruption of Transportation
37.141
Definitions
37.142
Conflict of Law
37.143
Citation Prohibited
37.144
Graduated Sanctions for Certain School Offenses
37.145
Complaint
37.146
Requisites of Complaint
37.147
Prosecuting Attorneys
37.148
Right to Report Crime
37.151
Definitions
37.0151
Report to Local Law Enforcement Regarding Certain Conduct Constituting Assault or Harassment
37.152
Personal Hazing Offense
37.153
Organization Hazing Offense
37.154
Consent Not a Defense
37.155
Immunity from Prosecution or Civil Liability Available
37.156
Offenses in Addition to Other Penal Provisions
37.157
Reporting by Medical Authorities
37.158
Venue
37.0181
Professional Development Regarding Disciplinary Procedures
37.201
Definition
37.202
Purpose
37.203
Board
37.204
Officers
37.205
Safety Training Programs
37.207
Model Safety and Security Audit Procedure
37.208
On-site Assistance
37.209
Center Website
37.211
Recognition of Schools
37.212
Interagency Cooperation
37.213
Public Junior Colleges
37.214
Authority to Accept Certain Funds
37.215
Budget
37.216
Biennial Report
37.217
Community Education Relating to Internet Safety
37.218
Programs on Dangers of Students Sharing Visual Material Depicting Minor Engaged in Sexual Conduct
37.220
Model Threat Assessment Team Policies and Procedures
37.221
Facilities Standards Review
37.222
Resources on Safe Firearm Storage
37.301
Definition
37.302
Applicability
37.303
Removal of Registered Sex Offender from Regular Classroom
37.304
Placement of Registered Sex Offender Who Is Under Court Supervision
37.305
Placement of Registered Sex Offender Who Is Not Under Court Supervision
37.306
Review of Placement in Alternative Education Program
37.307
Placement and Review of Student with Disability
37.308
Transfer of Registered Sex Offender
37.309
Placement in Disciplinary Alternative Education Program or Juvenile Justice Alternative Education Program
37.310
Funding for Registered Sex Offender Placed in Juvenile Justice Alternative Education Program
37.311
Conference
37.312
Liability
37.313
Conflicts of Law
37.351
Facilities Standards Compliance
37.352
Purchasing Requirements
37.353
Good Cause Exception
37.354
Funding for Facilities Standards Compliance
37.355
Confidentiality
37.0811
School Marshals: Public Schools
37.0812
Training Policy: School District Peace Officers and School Resource Officers
37.0813
School Marshals: Private Schools
37.0814
Armed Security Officer Required
37.0815
Transportation or Storage of Firearm and Ammunition by License Holder in School Parking Area
37.0818
Private School Peace Officers
37.0831
Dating Violence Policies
37.0832
Bullying Prevention Policies and Procedures
37.1081
Public Hearing on Multihazard Emergency Operations Plan Noncompliance
37.1082
Multihazard Emergency Operations Plan Noncompliance
37.1083
Agency Monitoring of School District Safety and Security Requirements
37.1084
Regional School Safety Review Teams
37.1085
Assignment of Conservator for Noncompliance with School Safety and Security Requirements
37.1086
Guidelines for Multihazard Emergency Operations Plan Provisions for Individuals with Disabilities or Impairments
37.1131
Notification Regarding Violent Activity
37.1141
Active Threat Exercises
37.2071
District Multihazard Emergency Operations Plan Review and Verification
37.2091
Registry of Persons Providing School Safety or Security Consulting Services
37.2121
Memoranda of Understanding and Mutual Aid Agreements
37.2161
School Safety and Security Progress Report
37.08131
Memorandum of Understanding Between Public and Private Schools Regarding School Marshals

Accessed:
Mar. 16, 2024

§ 37.0832’s source at texas​.gov