SAFE AND SUPPORTIVE

SCHOOLS ACT
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT
MINNESOTAS NEW ANTI-BULLYING
LEGISLATION

Old Minnesota Bullying Law

Each school board shall adopt a written

policy prohibiting intimidation and
bullying of any student. The policy shall
address intimidation and bullying in all
forms, including, but not limited to,
electronic forms and forms involving
internet use.

Old Laws Grade

The Safe and Supportive Schools Act

Minnesotas new anti-

bullying law

Old 37 words
New 15 pages and 45

legislative actions

Minnesotas anti bullying

law goes from one of

weakest in country to one
of the strongest

The New Law Applies to:

Only Public Schools (not

private or home schools)

Only Student vs. Student

behavior (does not cover

claims of teacher or
coach bad behavior)

The New Law Applies to:

Bullying that occurs:

1. On school premises
2. At school functions/
activities
3. On school transportation

The New Law Applies to:

The use of technology

and communication:
1.
2.

3.
4.

On the school premises

During school functions
or activities
On school transportation
On school computers,
networks, forums, and
mailing lists

The New Law Covers

Use of electronic
technology and
communications off the
school premises to the
extent such use
substantially and
materially disrupts
student learning or the
school environment.

Bullying Defined in the Law

1. Intimidating, threatening, abusive, or harming
conduct that is objectively offensive.
AND
2. There is an actual or perceived imbalance of power
between the student engaging in prohibited conduct
and the target and the conduct is repeated or forms a
pattern
OR
3. The behavior materially and substantially
interferes with a students educational opportunities or
performance

Safe and Supportive Schools Act

Each district must create their own policy that

complies with new law.

This policy must:
1. Include defined roles and responsibilities
2. Include a list of characteristics of bullying
3. Emphasize remedial responses
4. Be posted in the main office
5. Be given to all staff
6. Be included in student handbook
7. Be available to parents/community in electronic format

Safe and Supportive Schools Act

Each district must, at a minimum:
1. Designate a primary contact person for bullying
2. Require employees to make reasonable efforts to address
bullying when they see it or know about it
3. Commence investigations within 3 days of receipt of a report
4. Articulate responses to prohibited conduct
5. Prohibit retaliation against whistleblowers
6. Allow anonymous reporting (but this can not be sole report)
7. REQUIRE ONGOING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FOR
STAFF

Training IS Required for ALL staff

Training should cover:

1.strategies to prevent and effectively intervene to stop

bullying after it has occurred
2. The complex dynamics of bully, victim, and bystander
3. Research (data on who is at risk, etc.)
4. The nature of cyberbullying/Internet safety

Districts are encouraged to...

1. Provide anti-bullying programing and instruction
2. Partner with parents to develop these programs
3. Train student bystanders how to intervene
4. Teach students to advocate for selves and others
5. Engage all students in creating safe school

environment

ISD 197 BULLYING PROHIBITION POLICY

Our policy
Closely resembles state

law
How to report Bullying

Tab in TIES online

referral