Components of State Anti-Bullying Laws and Regulations
| Component | Included |
|---|---|
| Prohibiting statement | Yes |
| Definition | Yes |
| Scope | Yes |
| Protected groups | Yes |
| District policy requirement | Yes |
| Reporting and investigations | Yes |
| Consequences | Yes |
| Communication of policy | Yes |
| Safeguards and supports | No |
| Review and update of local policies | No |
| Prevention education | No |
| Staff training | No |
| Parent engagement | No |
Which Hawaii laws and regulations cover bullying?
- Hawaii Revised Statutes §302A-1002. Reporting of crime-related incidents
- Hawaii Administrative Code §8-19-2. Definitions
- Hawaii Administrative Code §8-19-6. Prohibited student conduct; class offenses
- Hawaii Administrative Code §8-19-13. Prohibited student conduct; class offenses
Do Hawaii anti-bullying laws and regulations cover cyberbullying that occurs off-campus?
Yes. Hawaii anti-bullying laws cover cyberbullying acts committed through an off-campus computer network if the act is sufficiently severe, persistent, or pervasive that it creates an intimidating, threatening, or abuse educational environment for the other student or school personnel, or both.
What are the policy requirements for schools to prevent and respond to bullying behavior?
Hawaii anti-bullying laws prohibit bullying and cyberbullying and require schools to publish school rules and to inform students, school staff, and parents of the prohibited conduct. Hawaii administrative rules governing student misconduct and discipline establish reporting and investigation procedures and address consequences for specific offenses, including bullying, cyberbullying, and harassment.
Do Hawaii anti-bullying laws and regulations include protections for specific groups?
Yes. Hawaii anti-bullying laws prohibit students from making verbal or non-verbal expressions that cause others to feel uncomfortable, pressured, threatened, or in danger because of reasons that include but are not limited to the person's race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, religion, disability, or sexual orientation.
Hawaii schools that receive federal funding are required by federal law to address discrimination based on certain personal characteristics. Find out when bullying may be a civil rights violation.
Do Hawaii anti-bullying laws and regulations encourage or require districts to implement bullying prevention programs or strategies?
No. Hawaii anti-bullying laws do not require districts to implement bullying prevention programs or strategies.
Do Hawaii anti-bullying laws and regulations encourage or require districts to train teachers and other school staff on how to respond to bullying incidents?
No. Hawaii anti-bullying laws do not require districts to train teachers and other school staff on how to prevent or respond to bullying incidents.
Do Hawaii anti-bullying laws and regulations encourage or require districts to provide safeguards or mental health supports for students involved with bullying?
No. Hawaii anti-bullying laws do not require districts to provide safeguards or mental health supports for students involved with bullying.
Do Hawaii anti-bullying laws and regulations involve parents in efforts to address bullying behavior?
No. Hawaii anti-bullying laws do not create expectations for parent involvement in addressing bullying behavior.
For More Information
Visit the Hawaii State Department of Education's "Anti-Bullying Work" 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).