(A) Before January 1, 2007, each local school district shall adopt a policy prohibiting harassment, intimidation, or bullying at school. The school district shall involve parents and guardians, school employees, volunteers, students, administrators, and community representatives in the process of creating the policy.
(B) The policy must include, but not be limited to, the following components:
(1) a statement prohibiting harassment, intimidation, or bullying of a student;
(2) a definition of harassment, intimidation, or bullying no less inclusive than the definition in Section 59-63-120;
(3) a description of appropriate student behavior;
(4) consequences and appropriate remedial actions for persons committing acts of harassment, intimidation, or bullying, and for persons engaging in reprisal or retaliation;
(5) procedures for reporting acts of harassment, intimidation, or bullying, to include a provision for reporting anonymously. However, formal disciplinary action must not be taken solely on the basis of an anonymous report. The procedures must identify the appropriate school personnel responsible for taking the report and investigating the complaint;
(6) procedures for prompt investigation of reports of serious violations and complaints;
(7) a statement that prohibits reprisal or retaliation against a person who reports an act of harassment, intimidation, or bullying;
(8) consequences and appropriate remedial action for persons found to have falsely accused another;
(9) a process for discussing the district's harassment, intimidation, or bullying policy with students; and
(10) a statement of how the policy is to be publicized, including notice that the policy applies to participation in school-sponsored functions.
(C) To assist local school districts in developing policies for the prevention of harassment, intimidation, or bullying, the State Board of Education shall develop model policies applicable to grades kindergarten through twelve. Additionally, the State Board of Education shall develop teacher preparation program standards on the identification and prevention of bullying. The model policies and standards must be developed no later than September 1, 2006.
(D) The local school board shall ensure that the school district's policy developed pursuant to this article is included in the school district's publication of the comprehensive rules, procedures, and standards of conduct for schools and in the student's handbook.
(E) Information regarding a local school district policy against harassment, intimidation, or bullying must be incorporated into a school's employee training program. Training also should be provided to school volunteers who have significant contact with students.
(F) Schools and school districts are encouraged to establish bullying prevention programs and other initiatives involving school staff, students, administrators, volunteers, parents, law enforcement, and community members.
HISTORY: 2006 Act No. 353, Section 2, eff June 12, 2006.
Structure South Carolina Code of Laws
Section 59-63-20. Age of attendance.
Section 59-63-30. Qualifications for attendance.
Section 59-63-35. Nonresident military enrollment in South Carolina high school diploma program.
Section 59-63-40. Discrimination on account of race, creed, color, or national origin prohibited.
Section 59-63-45. Reimbursement for attending another school district
Section 59-63-50. Fingerprinting of pupils.
Section 59-63-55. Report required of certain injuries.
Section 59-63-60. School guards required to be safely attired.
Section 59-63-65. Class size reduction; funding; facilities.
Section 59-63-70. High school student participation in independent organized sports teams.
Section 59-63-75. Concussion protocol for student athletes.
Section 59-63-80. Individual health care plans for students with special health care needs.
Section 59-63-90. Notice of available health-related services and rights.
Section 59-63-110. Citation of article.
Section 59-63-120. Definitions.
Section 59-63-130. Prohibited conduct; reports by witnesses.
Section 59-63-217. Barring enrollment of student; grounds; notice and hearing; duration of bar.
Section 59-63-220. Suspension of pupils by administrator.
Section 59-63-230. Notices of suspensions; conferences with parents or guardian.
Section 59-63-235. Expulsion of student determined to have brought firearm to school.
Section 59-63-240. Expulsion for remainder of year; hearings.
Section 59-63-250. Transfer of pupils.
Section 59-63-260. Corporal punishment.
Section 59-63-270. Regulation or prohibition of clubs or like activities.
Section 59-63-275. Student hazing prohibited; definitions.
Section 59-63-280. "Paging device" defined; adoption of policies addressing student possession.
Section 59-63-310. Short title.
Section 59-63-320. Reporting form.
Section 59-63-330. Quarterly and annual reports.
Section 59-63-333. School crime requirements to conform to federal "No Child Left Behind Act".
Section 59-63-335. Failure of school administrator to report criminal conduct; liability.
Section 59-63-340. Promulgation of regulations.
Section 59-63-350. Local law enforcement.
Section 59-63-360. Attorney General; representation of school districts.
Section 59-63-380. School official reporting school-related crimes; immunity.
Section 59-63-390. Inclusion of school crime report act summary in student handbooks.
Section 59-63-410. Enrollment of pupils.
Section 59-63-420. Effect of transfer on enrollment lists.
Section 59-63-430. Board shall furnish copies of relevant statutes to teachers.
Section 59-63-440. Violations of Sections 59-63-410 to 59-63-430.
Section 59-63-450. No may shall be counted in enrollment more than once.
Section 59-63-460. Annual reports.
Section 59-63-470. Transfer of pupils whose enrollment threatens to disturb peace.
Section 59-63-480. Attendance at schools in adjacent county.
Section 59-63-490. Transfer to adjoining school district.
Section 59-63-500. Transfer without consent of school district of residence.
Section 59-63-510. County board of education authorized to order transfer.
Section 59-63-520. Consent required for transfer.
Section 59-63-530. Credit on tuition for taxes paid.
Section 59-63-550. School attendance; boundary clarification.
Section 59-63-710. School lunch division in State Department of Education.
Section 59-63-720. County school lunch supervisors.
Section 59-63-730. Employment and discharge of county school lunch supervisors.
Section 59-63-740. Duties of county school lunch supervisors.
Section 59-63-750. Compensation of school lunch supervisors; office space and equipment.
Section 59-63-760. State's school lunch policy.
Section 59-63-765. School breakfast program.
Section 59-63-780. Inability to pay for school lunches; availability of federal funds.
Section 59-63-785. School meal debt collections; exceptions.
Section 59-63-790. School districts to implement breakfast program in each school.
Section 59-63-800. Waiver of school breakfast requirement.
Section 59-63-910. Safety and security drills; guidelines.
Section 59-63-920. School compliance and documentation.
Section 59-63-1110. Consent to search person or his effects.
Section 59-63-1120. Searches by school administrators or officials with or without probable cause.
Section 59-63-1130. Searches by principals or their designees.
Section 59-63-1140. Strip searches prohibited.
Section 59-63-1150. Compliance with case law; training of school administrators.
Section 59-63-1300. Legislative intent.
Section 59-63-1310. Individual or cooperative programs; funding; sites.
Section 59-63-1320. Referral or placement of students in alternative school programs.
Section 59-63-1330. Discretion of school board.
Section 59-63-1340. Permissible divergence from traditional programs and schools.
Section 59-63-1350. Eligibility for funding.
Section 59-63-1360. Transportation.
Section 59-63-1370. Teachers at alternative school programs; staff development.
Section 59-63-1380. Funding for alternative school programs.