STOP Bullying Act

This bill would create federal grants for every state to set up a state anti-bullying task force for K–12 schools. These task forces would study bullying, recommend ways to prevent it, and share best practices to keep students safe. The study must look at school policies, training for teachers, parents, and students, and track incidents of student violence and self-harm tied to bullying. Lawmakers note that nearly 1 in 5 students report being bullied, many face repeated bullying, and over half of incidents are never reported to an adult.

Each task force must include a wide range of voices, such as a teacher, school leader, parent, a K–12 student, counselors and psychologists, a paraprofessional, a lawyer, and community experts who support LGBTQ students, along with state education staff. The state’s Chief Education Officer designates the chair. After the study is submitted, the task force must deliver a final public report within one year with findings, recommendations for action, and clear steps for staff training and for parents to spot early warning signs of bullying. The report goes to the state’s Chief Education Officer and the U.S. Secretary of Education.

Key points

• Who is affected: K–12 students, parents, teachers, school staff, and state education agencies.
• What changes: States can receive federal grants to create anti-bullying task forces, study policies and training, and issue public reports with recommendations.
• When: A final public report is due within one year after the study is submitted to state leaders and the U.S. Secretary of Education.