Legal Update Memo No. 25-2018 – Governor Brown Signs Bill Requiring Adoption of Procedures for Preventing Student Bullying (AB 2291) (K-12)
Download pdf: 25-2018 – Governor Brown Signs Bill Requiring Adoption of Procedures for Preventing Student Bullying AB 2291 (CDC)
The Governor signed Assembly Bill (“AB”) 2291 on September 18, 2018, which adds Education Code §§ 234.4 and 32283.5.[1]
This law requires school districts, county offices of education, and charter schools (“Schools”) to adopt procedures for preventing bullying, including cyberbullying, on or before December 31, 2019.
This law requires the California Department of Education (“CDE”) to develop and post on its Internet Web site an online training module to assist all school staff, school administrators, parents, pupils, and community members in increasing their knowledge of the dynamics of bullying and cyberbullying. The online training module shall include, but is not limited to, identifying an act of bullying or cyberbullying, and implementing strategies to address bullying and cyberbullying.
CDE is also required to post on its website, and annually update a list of available online training modules relating to bullying or bullying prevention.
Schools are required to annually make available the CDE online training module to certificated school site staff and all other school site staff that have regular interaction with students.
We advise our clients to review and update their policies addressing student bullying. Please note that California School Board Association (“CSBA”) has a developed a model policy, BP 5131.2, addressing bullying.
Please contact our office with questions regarding this Legal Update or any other legal matter.
Legal Update written by Carl D. Corbin, General Counsel.
The information in this Legal Update is provided as a summary of law and is not intended as legal advice. Application of the law may vary depending on the particular facts and circumstances at issue. We, therefore, recommend that you consult legal counsel to advise you on how the law applies to your specific situation.
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[1] Available at: http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=201720180AB2291.
