Rhode Island Code of Regulations
Title 200 - Board of Education
Chapter 30 - DEPARTMENT OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION
Subchapter 10 - Civil Rights
Part 2 - Safe School Act - Statewide Bullying Policy (200-RICR-30-10-2)
Section 200-RICR-30-10-2.2 - Definitions

Universal Citation: 200 RI Code of Rules 30 10 2.2

Current through March 20, 2024

A. "Bullying" means:

1. The use by one or more students of a written, verbal or electronic expression or a physical act or gesture or any combination thereof directed at a student that:
a. Causes physical or emotional harm to the student or damage to the student's property;

b. Places the student in reasonable fear of harm to himself/herself or of damage to his/her property;

c. Creates an intimidating, threatening, hostile, or abusive educational environment for the student;

d. Infringes on the rights of the student to participate in school activities; or,

e. Materially and substantially disrupts the education process or the orderly operation of a school.

2. The expression, physical act or gesture may include, but is not limited to, an incident or incidents that may be reasonably perceived as being motivated by characteristics such as:
a. Race;

b. Color;

c. Religion;

d. Ancestry;

e. National origin;

f. Gender;

g. Sexual orientation;

h. Gender identity and expression;

i. Mental, physical, or sensory disability, intellectual ability; or,

j. By any other distinguishing characteristic.

3. Bullying most often occurs as repeated behavior and often is not a single incident between the bullying/cyber-bullying offender(s) and the bullying victim(s).

B. "Cyber-bullying" means:

1. Bullying through the use of technology or any electronic communication, which shall include, but not be limited to, any transfer of signs, signals, writing, images, sounds, data, texting or intelligence of any nature transmitted in whole or in part by a wire, radio, electromagnetic, photo electronic or photo optical system, including, but not limited to, electronic mail, Internet communications, instant messages or facsimile communications.

2. Forms of cyber-bullying may include but are not limited to:
a. The creation of a web page or blog in which the creator assumes the identity of another person;

b. The knowing impersonation of another person as the author of posted content or messages; or,

c. The distribution by electronic means of a communication to more than one person or the posting of materials on an electronic medium that may be accessed by one or more persons, if the creation, impersonation, or distribution results in any of the conditions enumerated in §§ 2.2(A)(1)(a) through (e) of this Part.

C. "At school" means:

1. On school premises;

2. At any school-sponsored activity or event whether or not it is held on school premises;

3. On a school-transportation vehicle;

4. At an official school bus stop;

5. Using property or equipment provided by the school; or,

6. Acts which create a material and substantial disruption of the education process or the orderly operation of the school.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Rhode Island may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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