Key Components

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

Bullying.

Do these laws cover cyberbullying?

Yes.

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

The following groups are listed under Massachusetts anti-bullying laws and regulations:

• Race
• Color
• Religion
• Ancestry
• National origin
• Sex
• Socioeconomic status
• Homelessness
• Academic status
• Gender identity or expression
• Physical appearance
• Pregnant or parenting status
• Sexual orientation
• Mental, physical, developmental or sensory disability
• Association with a person who has or is perceived to have one or more of these characteristics.

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 Massachusetts state model bullying prevention and intervention plan is available on the Massachusetts Department of Education website .

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

DEFINITIONS

Key Components	Present in Massachusetts State Laws and Regulations	Present in Massachusetts Model Policy
Purpose	YES	YES
Scope	YES	YES
Prohibited Behavior	YES	YES
Enumerated Groups	YES	YES

DISTRICT POLICY REVIEW & DEVELOPMENT

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

DISTRICT POLICY COMPONENTS

Key Components	Present in Massachusetts State Laws and Regulations	Present in Massachusetts Model Policy
Definitions	YES	N/A
Reporting	YES	YES
Investigations	YES	YES
Written Records	YES	YES
Consequences	YES	YES
Mental Health	YES	YES

ADDITIONAL COMPONENTS

Key Components	Present in Massachusetts State Laws and Regulations	Present in Massachusetts Model Policy
Communications	YES	YES
Training/Prevention	YES	YES
Transparency/Monitoring	YES	YES
Legal Remedies	YES	YES

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

What are the Massachusetts state laws and regulations that cover bullying?

• Massachusetts General Laws Chapter §69 Section 1D. Statewide educational goals; academic standards; vocational training; grant program
• Massachusetts General Laws Chapter §71, Section 37H. Policies relative to conduct of teachers or students; student handbooks
• Massachusetts General Laws Chapter §71, Section 37O. School bullying prohibited; bullying prevention plans
• Massachusetts General Laws Chapter §71 Section 93. Policy regarding internet safety measures for schools providing computer access to students
• Massachusetts General Laws Chapter §265 Section 43. Stalking; punishment
• Massachusetts General Laws Chapter §265 Section 43A. Criminal harassment; punishment
• Massachusetts General Laws Chapter §269 Section 14A. Annoying telephone calls and electronic communication
• Massachusetts General Laws Chapter §269 Section 17. Hazing; organizing or participating; hazing defined
• Massachusetts General Laws Chapter §269 Section 18. Failure to report hazing
• Massachusetts General Laws Chapter §269 Section 19. Copy of Secs. 17 to 19; issuance to students and student groups, teams and organizations; report

• 603 CMR 33.01. Authority
• 603 CMR 33.02. Scope and purpose
• 603 CMR 33.03. Definitions
• 603 CMR 33.04. Filing of reports
• 603 CMR 33.05. Notifying the Attorney General
• 603 CMR 49.01. Authority
• 603 CMR 49.02. Scope and purpose
• 603 CMR 49.03. Definitions and terms (selected)
• 603 CMR 49.04. Bullying and retaliation prohibited
• 603 CMR 49.05. Notice to parents
• 603 CMR 49.06. Notice to law enforcement agency
• 603 CMR 49.07. Confidentiality of records

For More Information

Visit the Massachusetts Department of Education’s “Bullying Prevention and Intervention Resources” 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