New Bullying Law Coming To Illinois Schools

Illinois is making a big move to combat bullying in the state's public school system with a potential new law that would require school administrations to address incidents of bullying within 24 hours of receiving a report.

House Bill 3425 seeks to expand the existing definition of "policy on bullying" in the Illinois School Code by including various forms of bullying based on physical appearance, socioeconomic status, academic standing, pregnancy, parenting status, and homelessness.

This message acknowledges the range of factors that can make individuals vulnerable to bullying and aims to provide comprehensive protection for all students.

The bill would direct schools to have the discretion to inform parents and guardians of bullying incidents within a strict timeframe of under 24 hours.

The quicker response time will ensure that parents and guardians are made aware of any potential bullying situations involving their children, allowing for timely intervention and support.

Schools would also have to develop bullying prevention policies provided by the Illinois State Board of Education.

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Schools would be required to collect, maintain, and submit data on bullying allegations and incidents to the state agency.

This data will assist in monitoring the prevalence and nature of bullying, enabling policymakers to make informed decisions and allocate resources appropriately.

The proposed law places a specific obligation on the Illinois State Board of Education to provide non-identifiable data on the number of bullying allegations and incidents in a given year if requested by a parent or guardian.

This provision ensures transparency and empowers parents and guardians to access crucial information regarding bullying within their child's school environment.

House Bill 3425, has been approved by both chambers of the state legislature and is currently awaiting Governor J.B. Pritzker's approval.