H.R. 2682: STOP Bullying Act

This bill, known as the **STOP Bullying Act**, aims to create a program that provides financial grants to each U.S. state to establish anti-bullying task forces focused on reducing bullying in elementary and secondary schools. The key components of the bill include:

Anti-Bullying Task Force Grants

The act requires the Secretary of Education to set up a program to allocate grants to states. These grants will be used by each state to:

• Establish a task force dedicated to studying, addressing, and reducing bullying.
• Conduct research on bullying policies in local educational agencies.
• Provide education for teachers, parents, and students regarding bullying.
• Examine incidents of student violence and self-harm related to bullying.

Task Force Composition

The task force established in each state will be composed of a diverse group of individuals, including:

• A teacher from elementary or secondary schools.
• A school administrator.
• A parent of students.
• A K–12 student.
• A guidance counselor.
• A child psychologist.
• A school psychologist.
• A paraprofessional.
• A lawyer.
• A representative from a community-based organization that supports LGBTQ+ students.
• Additional members as determined by the task force chair.

Reporting Requirements

Within one year of conducting their study, the task forces must submit a final report to the Chief Education Officer of the state and the Secretary of Education. This report will include:

• The findings and conclusions of the task force.
• Recommendations for legislative or administrative actions.
• Best practices for addressing and preventing bullying, educating staff on recognizing bullying, and advising parents on discussing bullying with their children.

Public Awareness

Each state task force is required to make their final report publicly available, ensuring transparency and encouraging community involvement in addressing bullying.

Goals of the Legislation

The overarching goal of the STOP Bullying Act is to create a safer school environment for all students, by supporting data-driven approaches to understand and combat bullying in educational settings.

Funding and Implementation

The grant program aims to empower states with the necessary funding and structure to effectively tackle the issue of bullying, taking into account the unique circumstances and needs of each state's educational landscape.

Relevant Companies

None found.