This past week a fight at Ridgefield High School that involved a number of students which caused some parents to contact us regarding Connecticut’s School Bullying Law.
On June 12, 2008, former Governor M. Jodi Rell signed into law a measure designed to strengthen state and local efforts to prevent school bullying. The law, An Act Concerning School Learning Environment, was codified in Connecticut General Statute Section 10-222d requiring local and regional boards of education to develop and implement a policy to address the existence of bullying in its schools.
These policies include but are not limited to:
- Enabling students to anonymously report acts of bullying;
- Enabling parents and guardians to file written complaints of bullying;
- Requiring teachers and staff to notify school officials, in writing, when witnessing or receiving reports of bullying; and
- Providing for the inclusion of language in student codes of conduct concerning bullying.
Ridgefield High School’s Student/Parents’ Handbook provides that bullying behavior by any student is strictly prohibited. “Bullying” means any overt act by a student or group of students directed against another student with the intent to ridicule, humiliate, harass or intimidate the other students. Examples of bullying include physical violence and attacks, verbal taunts, threats and extortion or stealing of money and/possessions.
Additionally, students or parents may file verbal or written complains and students may anonymously report acts of bullying to teachers and school administrators. Any such report will be promptly reviewed and investigated. If acts of bullying are verified then prompt disciplinary action can be taken consistent with the student’s rights of due process. The parents or guardians of both students who engaged in the bullying and the victim will be notified of the results of the investigation.
In addition to the school discipline that may result from these acts, which could result in suspension or expulsion, there is also the possibility of a criminal arrest which would involve both the police and the Connecticut Criminal Court System. Lastly, there may also be grounds for a civil lawsuit that could involve the parents of the at fault student, which would probably not be covered by insurance, thereby personally exposing the parents assets to forfeiture.
Richard P. Hastings is a Connecticut personal injury lawyer at Hastings, Cohan & Walsh, LLP, with offices throughout the state. He is the author of the books: "The Crash Course on Child Injury Claims" and "The Crash Course on Personal Injury Claims in Connecticut." He can be reached at 1(888)CTLAW-00 or by visiting www.hcwlaw.com.
