Outline of the state of Arkansas
State
Arkansas
Addressed

Category
Bullying Policy—Reporting and Investigations

Category
Bullying Policy—Reporting and Investigations

State law addresses reporting and investigations.

Arkansas Code 6-18-514. Antibullying policies

(d) If an alleged incident of bullying occurs during school hours, a public school principal or his or her designee who receives a credible report or complaint of bullying shall:

  • (1) As soon as reasonably practicable:
    • (A) Report to a parent or legal guardian of a student believed to be the victim of an incident of bullying that his or her child is the victim in a credible report or complaint of bullying; and
    • (B) Prepare a written report of the alleged incident of bullying;
  • (2)
    • (A) Promptly investigate the credible report or complaint.
    • (B)
      • (i) The investigation conducted under subdivision (d)(2)(A) of this section shall be completed as soon as possible but not later than five (5) school days from the date of the written report of the alleged incident of bullying as required under subdivision (d)(1)(B) of this section.
      • (ii) Following the completion of the investigation into the alleged incident of bullying conducted under subdivision (d)(2)(A) of this section, an individual licensed as a public school district building-level administrator or his or her designee may without limitation:
      • (a) Provide intervention services;
      • (b) Establish training programs to reduce bullying;
      • (c) Impose discipline on any of the parties involved in the incident of bullying;
      • (d) Recommend counseling for any of the parties involved in the incident of bullying; or
      • (e) Take or recommend other appropriate action;
  • (3)
    • (A) Notify the parent or legal guardian of the student who is determined to have been the perpetrator of the incident of bullying:
      • (i) Upon completion of the investigation under subdivision (d)(2)(A) of this section; and
      • (ii) Regarding the consequences of continued incidents of bullying.
    • (B) A parent or legal guardian of a student who is a party to an investigation of an incident of bullying conducted under subdivision (d)(2)(A) of this section is entitled within five (5) school days after the completion of the investigation, and in accordance with federal and state law, to receive information about the investigation, including without limitation:
      • (i) That a credible report or complaint of bullying exists;
      • (ii) Whether the credible report or complaint of bullying was found to be true based on the investigation;
      • (iii) Whether action was taken upon the conclusion of the investigation of the alleged incident of bullying; and
      • (iv) Information regarding the reporting of another incident of bullying;
  • (4)
    • (A) Make a written record of the investigation and any action taken as a result of the investigation.
    • (B) The written record of the investigation shall include a detailed description of the alleged incident of bullying, including without limitation a detailed summary of the statements from all material witnesses to the alleged incident of bullying; and
  • (5) Discuss, as appropriate, the availability of counseling and other intervention services with students involved in the incident of bullying.
Policy Type
Statute