Key Components

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

Bullying and cyberbullying.

Do these laws cover cyberbullying?

Yes.

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

The following groups are listed under Rhode Island anti-bullying laws:

• Race
• Color
• Religion
• Ancestry
• National origin
• Gender
• Sexual orientation
• Gender identity and expression
• Mental, physical, or sensory disability, intellectual ability

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 Rhode Island state model policy is available on the is available on the Rhode Island Department of Education website . 

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

DEFINITIONS

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

DISTRICT POLICY REVIEW & DEVELOPMENT

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

DISTRICT POLICY COMPONENTS

Key Components	Present in Rhode Island State Laws and Regulations	Present in Rhode Island Model Policy
Definitions	YES	YES
Reporting	YES	YES
Investigations	YES	YES
Written Records	NO	YES
Consequences	YES	YES
Mental Health	YES	YES

ADDITIONAL COMPONENTS

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

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

What are the Rhode Island laws and regulations that cover bullying?

• Rhode Island General Laws §16-21-21. Student discipline codes
• Rhode Island General Laws §16-21-24. Requirements of school safety plans, school emergency response plans, and school crisis response plans
• Rhode Island General Laws §16-21-33. Safe schools act
• Rhode Island General Laws §16-21-34. Statewide bullying policy implemented

For More Information

Visit the Rhode Island Department of Education’s “Bullying and School Violence” 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