Key Components

What terms are used in Tennessee anti-bullying laws and regulations?

Harassment, intimidation, bullying, or cyberbullying.

Do these laws cover cyberbullying?

Yes.

What groups are listed under Tennessee anti-bullying laws and regulations?

There are no specific groups listed under Tennessee anti-bullying laws or regulations.

Schools that receive federal funding are required by federal law to address discrimination on a number of different personal characteristics. Find out when bullying may be a civil rights violation.

Is there a state model policy I can use to create anti-bullying policies for my school or district?

The Tennessee state model policy is available on the Tennessee Department of Education website .

Which of the key components can be found in Tennessee anti-bullying laws, regulations, and model policies?

DEFINITIONS

Key Components	Present in Tennessee State Laws and Regulations	Present in Tennessee Model Policy
Purpose	YES	YES
Scope	YES	YES
Prohibited Behavior	YES	YES
Enumerated Groups	NO	YES

DISTRICT POLICY REVIEW & DEVELOPMENT

Key Components	Present in Tennessee State Laws and Regulations	Present in Tennessee Model Policy
District Policy	YES	N/A
District Policy Review	YES	N/A

DISTRICT POLICY COMPONENTS

Key Components	Present in Tennessee State Laws and Regulations	Present in Tennessee Model Policy
Definitions	YES	N/A
Reporting	YES	YES
Investigations	YES	YES
Written Records	YES	YES
Consequences	YES	YES
Mental Health	NO	NO

ADDITIONAL COMPONENTS

Key Components	Present in Tennessee State Laws and Regulations	Present in Tennessee Model Policy
Communications	YES	YES
Training/Prevention	YES	NO
Transparency/Monitoring	YES	NO
Legal Remedies	NO	NO

NOTE: Click on the Key Components links to get more information about that component.

What are the Tennessee laws and regulations that cover bullying?

• Tennessee Code Annotated §39-17-308. Harassment
• Tennessee Code Annotated §49-2-120. Prohibition against hazing
• Tennessee Code Annotated §49-6-812. Consistency with harassment and bullying policies
• Tennessee Code Annotated §49-6-4501. Legislative findings -- Safety and civility
• Tennessee Code Annotated §49-6-4502. Part definitions
• Tennessee Code Annotated §49-6-4503. Adoption of policy prohibiting harassment, intimidation, bullying or cyber-bullying by the school district
• Tennessee Code Annotated §49-6-4504. Adoption of policy prohibiting harassment, intimidation, bullying or cyber-bullying by LEA
• Tennessee Code Annotated §49-6-4505. Reprisal or retaliation prohibited – Reporting harassment, intimidation, bullying or cyberbullying – Immunity from damages
• Tennessee Code Annotated §49-6-4506. Task forces, programs or other initiatives 

For More Information

Visit the Tennessee Department of Education’s “Bullying and Harassment” webpage.

The key component framework used in the analysis of state laws is based on the review of legislation presented in the “Analysis of State Bullying Laws and Policies – December 2011” (U.S. Department of Education).

 

Content last updated on June 20, 2017