Category
Bullying Policy—Definitions
Category
Bullying Policy—Definitions
State law defines prohibited behavior and may require districts to include bullying definitions in district anti-bullying policies.
Texas Statutes Education Code 37.001 Student Code of Conduct
(b) In this section: (1) “Bullying” has the meaning assigned by Section 37.0832. (2) “Harassment” means threatening to cause harm or bodily injury to another student, engaging in sexually intimidating conduct, causing physical damage to the property of another student, subjecting another student to physical confinement or restraint, or maliciously taking any action that substantially harms another student’s physical or emotional health or safety.
Texas Statutes Education Code 37.0832. Bullying Prevention Policies and Procedures.
(a) In this section: (1) “Bullying”: (A) means a single significant act or a pattern of acts by one or more students directed at another student that exploits an imbalance of power and involves engaging in written or verbal expression, expression through electronic means, or physical conduct that satisfies the applicability requirements provided by Subsection (a-1), and that: (i) has the effect or will have the effect of physically harming a student, damaging a student’s property, or placing a student in reasonable fear of harm to the student’s person or of damage to the student’s property; (ii) is sufficiently severe, persistent, or pervasive enough that the action or threat creates an intimidating, threatening, or abusive educational environment for a student; (iii) materially and substantially disrupts the educational process or the orderly operation of a classroom or school; or (iv) infringes on the rights of the victim at school; and (B) includes cyberbullying. (2) “Cyberbullying” means bullying that is done through the use of any electronic communication device, including through the use of a cellular or other type of telephone, a computer, a camera, electronic mail, instant messaging, text messaging, a social media application, an Internet website, or any other Internet-based communication tool.