Key Components

What term is used in the Texas anti-bullying laws and regulations?

Bullying and harassment are defined separately.

Do these laws cover cyberbullying?

Yes.

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

There are no specific groups listed under Texas anti-bullying laws.

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 at my school or district?

Texas does not have a state model policy.

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

DEFINITIONS

Key Components	Present in Texas State Laws and Regulations	Present in Texas Model Policy
Purpose	YES	N/A
Scope	YES	N/A
Prohibited Behavior	YES	N/A
Enumerated Groups	NO	N/A

DISTRICT POLICY REVIEW & DEVELOPMENT

Key Components	Present in Texas State Laws and Regulations	Present in Texas Model Policy
District Policy	YES	N/A
District Policy Review	NO	N/A

DISTRICT POLICY COMPONENTS

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

ADDITIONAL COMPONENTS

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

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

What are the Texas laws and regulations that cover bullying?

• Texas Education Code Annotated §21.451. Staff development requirements 
• Texas Education Code Annotated §25.0342. Transfer of students who are victims of or have engaged in bullying 
• Texas Education Code Annotated §28.002. Required curriculum 
• Texas Education Code Annotated §37.001. Student code of conduct 
• Texas Education Code Annotated §37.083. Discipline management policies; sexual harassment 
• Texas Education Code Annotated §37.0832. Bullying prevention policies and procedures 
• Texas Education Code Annotated §37.123. Disruptive activities 
• Texas Education Code Annotated §37.124. Disruption of classes 
• Texas Education Code Annotated §37.152. Personal hazing offense 
• Texas Education Code Annotated §37.153. Organization hazing offense 
• Texas Education Code Annotated §37.154. Consent Not a Defense 
• Texas Education Code Annotated §37.155. Immunity from prosecution available 
• Texas Education Code Annotated §37.156. Offenses in addition to other penal provisions 
• Texas Education Code Annotated §37.157. Reporting by Medical Authorities 
• Texas Education Code Annotated §37.217. Community education relating to internet safety 
• Texas Health and Safety Code Annotated §161.325. Mental health promotion and intervention, substance abuse prevention and intervention, and suicide prevention

For More Information

Visit the Texas Education Agency’s “Coordinated School Health: Bullying and Cyber-bullying”  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