Pennsylvania SB 982: An Act amending Title 24 (Education) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, providing for basic education and bullying and cyberbullying prevention and response.

Bill Text

PRINTER'S NO. 1127
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE BILL
No. 982
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY MASTRIANO AND FONTANA, AUGUST 27, 2025
REFERRED TO EDUCATION, AUGUST 27, 2025
AN ACT
Amending Title 24 (Education) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated
Statutes, providing for basic education and bullying and
cyberbullying prevention and response.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Title 24 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated
Statutes is amended by adding a part to read:
PART I-A
BASIC EDUCATIO N
Chapter
21. Preliminary Provisions
23. Safety in Schools
CHAPTER 21
PRELIMINARY PROVISIONS
Sec.
2101. Scope of part.
2102. Definitions.
§ 2101. Scope of part.
This part relates to educational matters impacting
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kindergarten through grade 12 in this Commonwealth.
§ 2102. Definitions.
Subject to additional definitions contained in subsequent
provisions of this part which are applicable to specific
provisions of this part, the following words and phrases when
used in this part shall have the meanings given to them in this
section unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Bullying." Intentional electronic, written, verbal or
physical acts that:
(1) are directed at a student;
(2) occur in a school setting;
(3) are severe and persistent or pervasive; and
(4) have the effect of doing any of the following:
(i) substantially interfering with a student's
education;
(ii) creating a threatening environment; or
(iii) substantially disrupting the orderly operation
of the school.
"Bullying response coordinator." A staff member of the
school entity designated by the principal or chief school
administrator to oversee bullying response and compliance.
"Cyberbullying." Bullying that occurs through electronic
communication, including email, social media, text messaging or
an Internet-based platform.
"Safe2Say Program." The Safe2Say Program established under
section 1303-D(a) of the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14),
known as the Public School Code of 1949.
"School entity." A public school district, charter school,
cyber charter school, intermediate unit or area career and
technical school.
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"School setting." As defined under section 1303.1-A of the
Public School Code of 1949.
CHAPTER 23
SAFETY IN SCHOOLS
Sec.
2301. Scope of chapter.
2302. Bullying and cyberbullying prevention and response.
2303. Data reporting and oversight.
2304. Construction and compliance.
§ 2301. Scope of chapter.
This chapter relates to improving safety and preventing
incidents of bullying and cyberbullying in public schools.
§ 2302. Bullying and cyberbullying prevention and response.
(a) Policy requirements.--By July 1 of the year following
the effective date of this subsection, each school entity shall
adopt or revise the school entity's bullying prevention policy
to include:
(1) a prohibition against bullying, cyberbullying and
retaliation;
(2) confidential reporting procedures for students,
staff and parents;
(3) notification of the parents or guardians of each
involved student within 24 hours of an investigated and
confirmed incident, consistent with 20 U.S.C. § 1232g
(relating to family educational and privacy rights);
(4) a requiremen t to begin an investigation of any
reported incident within three school days;
(5) designation of a bullying response coordinator for
each building or at a level appropriate for the size and
population of the school entity ;
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(6) age-appropriate instruction on bullying and
cyberbullying prevention in existing health, civics or
character education curricula; and
(7) staff training at least once every three years and
during onboarding or induction of new staff members.
(b) Model policy.--Within 120 days of the effective date of
this subsection, the department shall develop and publicly post
a model anti-bullying policy and implementation toolkit using
existing resources.
(c) Streamlined reporting via Safe2Say Program.--A report of
bullying or cyberbullying made by a school employee shall be
submitted through the Safe2Say Program.
§ 2303. Data reporting and oversight.
(a) Reporting.--Each school entity shall submit anonymized
annual data on bullying incidents and resolutions to the
department using the Safe2Say system.
(b) Review.--The department shall review submissions as part
of existing Safe Schools compliance reviews.
(c) Corrective action plans.--School entities found in
noncompliance shall submit corrective action plans and shall be
publicly identified in the department's annual report.
§ 2304. Construction and compliance.
(a) Construction.--Nothing in this chapter shall be
construed to:
(1) Require new appropriations, tax increases or
additional personnel.
(2) Alter or interfere with the requirements o