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.
Maryland Code 7-424. Reporting incidents of harassment or intimidation against students
(a) Definitions. --
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(1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.
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(2) "Bullying, harassment, or intimidation" means intentional conduct, including verbal, physical, or written conduct, or an intentional electronic communication, that:
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(i) Creates a hostile educational environment by substantially interfering with a student's educational benefits, opportunities, or performance, or with a student's physical or psychological well-being and is:
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- Motivated by an actual or a perceived personal characteristic including race, national origin, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, ancestry, physical attributes, socioeconomic status, familial status, or physical or mental ability or disability;
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- Sexual in nature, including descriptions or depictions of a student with the student's intimate parts exposed or while engaged in an act of sexual contact; or
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- Threatening or seriously intimidating; and
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(ii)
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- Occurs on school property, at a school activity or event, or on a school bus; or
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- Substantially disrupts the orderly operation of a school.
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(3) "Electronic communication" means a communication transmitted by means of an electronic device, including a telephone, cellular phone, computer, or pager.
Maryland Code 7-424.1 Model policy prohibiting bullying, harassment and intimidation
(a) "Bullying, harassment, or intimidation" defined. -- In this section, "bullying, harassment, or intimidation" has the meaning stated in § 7-424 of this subtitle.