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<section article="ged" article_name="Education" number="7-424.3" title_number="7" title_name="Public Schools" subtitle_number="4" subtitle_name="Health and Safety of Students">
  <level label="a">
    <level label="1">
      <text>In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>“Bullying, harassment, or intimidation” has the meaning stated in § 7–424 of this subtitle.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <text>“Nonpublic school” means a nonpublic school that participates in State–funded education programs.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="b">
    <text>By March 31, 2012, each nonpublic school shall adopt a policy prohibiting bullying, harassment, and intimidation.</text>
  </level>
  <level label="c">
    <text>The policy adopted under subsection (b) of this section shall include:</text>
    <level label="1">
      <text>A statement prohibiting bullying, harassment, and intimidation in the school;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>A statement prohibiting reprisal or retaliation against individuals who report acts of bullying, harassment, or intimidation;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <text>A definition of bullying, harassment, and intimidation that is either the same as set forth in subsection (a) of this section or a definition that is not less inclusive than that definition;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="4">
      <text>Standard consequences and remedial actions for persons committing acts of bullying, harassment, or intimidation and for persons engaged in reprisal or retaliation, including:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>Specific penalties for persons who repeatedly commit acts of bullying, harassment, or intimidation; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>A requirement that persons who commit acts of bullying, harassment, or intimidation receive educational and therapeutic services concerning bullying prevention;</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="5">
      <text>Standard consequences and remedial actions for persons found to have made false accusations;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="6">
      <text>Standard procedures for reporting acts of bullying, harassment, or intimidation, including a chain of command in the reporting process;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="7">
      <text>Standard procedures for providing notice of an act of bullying, harassment, or intimidation to:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>A parent or guardian of the alleged victim, within 3 business days after the date the act is reported; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>A parent or guardian of the alleged perpetrator, within 5 business days after the date the act is reported;</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="8">
      <text>Standard procedures for the prompt investigation of acts of bullying, harassment, or intimidation;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="9">
      <text>Standard procedures for protecting victims of bullying, harassment, or intimidation from additional acts of bullying, harassment, or intimidation, and from retaliation; and</text>
    </level>
    <level label="10">
      <text>Information about the types of support services available to a student bully or victim and any bystanders.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="d">
    <text>A nonpublic school is encouraged to develop the policy adopted under subsection (b) of this section in consultation with the following groups:</text>
    <level label="1">
      <text>Parents or guardians of students;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>School employees and administrators;</text>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <text>School volunteers; and</text>
    </level>
    <level label="4">
      <text>Students.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="e">
    <text>A nonpublic school is encouraged to publicize the policy adopted under subsection (b) of this section in student handbooks, on the school’s website, and any other location or venue the school determines is necessary or appropriate.</text>
  </level>
  <level label="f">
    <text>A nonpublic school is encouraged to develop the following educational programs in its efforts to prevent bullying, harassment, and intimidation:</text>
    <level label="1">
      <text>An educational bullying, harassment, and intimidation prevention program for students, staff, volunteers, and parents; and</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>A teacher and administrator development program that trains teachers and administrators to implement the policy adopted under subsection (b) of this section.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="g">
    <text>An employee of a nonpublic school who reports an act of bullying, harassment, or intimidation in accordance with the nonpublic school’s policy adopted under subsection (b) of this section is not civilly liable for any act or omission in reporting or failing to report an act of bullying, harassment, or intimidation in accordance with the policy.</text>
  </level>
  <level label="h">
    <text>The provisions of this section may not be construed to:</text>
    <level label="1">
      <text>Limit the legal rights of a victim of bullying, harassment, or intimidation; or</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>Require a statewide policy in nonpublic schools relating to bullying, harassment, and intimidation.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
</section>
