011.01G Pursuant to 79-2,141 (2) R.R.S., each school district shall develop and adopt a specific policy to address incidents of dating violence involving students at school. This policy shall include a statement that dating violence will not be tolerated.

(1) On or before March 1, 2010, the department shall develop and adopt a model dating violence policy to assist school districts in developing policies for dating violence. (2) On or before July 1, 2010, each school district shall develop and adopt a specific policy to address incidents of dating violence involving students at school, which shall be made a part of the requirements for accreditation in accordance with section 79-703. Such policy shall include a statement that dating violence will not be tolerated. (3) To ensure notice of a school district’s dating violence policy, the policy shall be published in any school district handbook, manual, or similar publication that sets forth the comprehensive rules, procedures, and Standard of conduct for students at school. (4) Each school district shall provide dating violence training to staff deemed appropriate by a school district’s administration. The dating violence training shall include, but not be limited to, basic awareness of dating violence, warning signs of dating violence, and the school district’s dating violence policy. The dating violence training may be provided by any school district or combination of school districts, an educational service unit, or any combination of educational service units. (5) Each school district shall inform the students’ parents or legal guardians of the school district’s dating violence policy. If requested, the school district shall provide the parents or legal guardians a copy of the school district’s dating violence policy and relevant information.

Each school district shall incorporate dating violence education that is age-appropriate into the school program. Dating violence education shall include, but not be limited to, defining dating violence, recognizing dating violence warning signs, and identifying characteristics of healthy dating relationships.

The Legislature finds and declares that all students have a right to work and study in a safe, supportive environment that is free from harassment, intimidation, and violence. The Legislature further finds that when a student is a victim of dating violence, his or her academic life suffers and his or her safety at school is jeopardized. The Legislature therefor finds and declares that a policy to create a better understanding and awareness of dating violence shall be adopted by each school district. It is the intent of the Legislature to require each school district to establish a policy for educating staff and students about dating violence.

For purposes of the Lindsay Ann Burke Act, unless the context otherwise requires: (1) Dating partner means any person, regardless of gender, involved in an intimate relationship with another person primarily characterized by the expectation of affectionate involvement whether casual, serious, or long-term; (2) Dating violence means a pattern of behavior where one person uses threats of, or actually uses, physical, sexual, verbal, or emotional abuse, to control his or her dating partner; (3) Department means the State Department of Education; and (4) School district has the same meaning as in section 79-101.