Outline of the state of Alabama
State
Alabama
Addressed

Category
Bullying Policy—Reporting and Investigations

Category
Bullying Policy—Reporting and Investigations

State law addresses reporting and investigations.

Code of Alabama 16-28B-4. Prohibited behavior; complaints; school plans or programs.

(c) Any student, or parent or guardian of the student, who is the object of bullying may file a complaint outlining the details of the bullying, on a form authorized by the local board, and submit the form to the official designated by the local board to receive complaints at the school. A copy of the form shall be prominently posted and accessible on the website of each local board of education and school, shall be available at each school office, and shall be included in the student handbook that is distributed to each student at the beginning of each school year.

(d) Each school shall develop plans or programs, including, but not limited to, peer mediation teams, in an effort to encourage students to report and address incidents of bullying, violence, or threats of violence. At the beginning of each school year, each school shall programmatically address the issue of bullying and school violence with faculty and students. The program shall include a discussion of available resources and shall encourage the reporting of incidents of bullying. Each school shall also periodically convene a committee of faculty and students to review and discuss the issue of bullying and make recommendations to school administrators regarding school climate, safety, and bullying. The local superintendent of education may report any recommendations to the local board for its consideration.

Policy Type
Statute

Code of Alabama 16-28B-5. Model policy.

(5) A procedure for reporting an act of intimidation, threat of suicide, bullying, violence, or threat of violence. An anonymous report may not be the basis for imposing formal disciplinary action against a student.

(6) A procedure for the prompt investigation of reports of serious violations and complaints, specifying that the principal, or his or her designee, is the person responsible for the investigation.

(7) A response procedure for a school to follow upon confirmation of an incident of intimidation, bullying, violence, or threats of violence. [...]

(11) A clearly defined procedure for students to use in reporting bullying, including, but not limited to, written reports on local board approved complaint forms and written reports of instances of bullying, intimidation, violence, and threats of violence based on the personal characteristics of a student. The complaint form may be served in person or by mail on the principal, or his or her designee, or his or her office. The procedures shall be made known and be readily available to each student, employee, and the parent or guardian of each student. It is the sole responsibility of the affected student, or the parent or guardian of the affected student, to report incidences of bullying to the principal, or his or her designee.

Policy Type
Statute