Summary of Bill HR 4402
Bill 117 HR 4402, also known as the Safe Schools Improvement Act of 2021, aims to address the issue of bullying and harassment in schools across the United States. The bill seeks to create a safer and more inclusive environment for students by requiring schools to develop and implement policies to prevent and respond to bullying and harassment.
Specifically, the Safe Schools Improvement Act of 2021 mandates that schools collect data on incidents of bullying and harassment, as well as the effectiveness of their prevention and intervention efforts. This data will be used to assess the prevalence of bullying and harassment in schools and identify areas for improvement.
Additionally, the bill requires schools to provide training for staff on how to recognize and respond to bullying and harassment, as well as resources for students who have been victims of such behavior. Schools will also be required to notify parents and guardians of incidents of bullying and harassment involving their children.
Overall, the Safe Schools Improvement Act of 2021 aims to create a safer and more inclusive learning environment for all students by addressing the issue of bullying and harassment in schools. By implementing policies and procedures to prevent and respond to such behavior, schools can help ensure that all students feel safe and supported in their educational environment.
Congressional Summary of HR 4402
Safe Schools Improvement Act of 2021
This bill requires states to direct their local educational agencies (LEAs) to establish policies that prevent and prohibit bullying and harassment of elementary and secondary school students. In particular, these policies must prohibit bullying and harassment based on race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or religion.
Further, LEAs must provide (1) students, parents, and educational professionals with annual notice of the conduct prohibited in their disciplinary policies; (2) students and parents with grievance procedures that target such conduct; and (3) the public with annual data on the incidence and frequency of that conduct at the school and LEA level.
The Department of Education must conduct and report on an independent biennial evaluation of programs and policies to combat bullying and harassment in elementary and secondary schools. The National Center for Education Statistics must collect state data to determine the incidence and frequency of the conduct prohibited by LEA disciplinary policies.