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-30-10-2.6 - Reporting

Universal Citation: 200 RI Code of Rules 30 10 2.6

Current through March 20, 2024

A. The school principal, director or head of school shall establish, and prominently publicize to students, staff, volunteers, and parents/guardians, how a report of bullying may be filed and how this report will be acted upon. (See § 2.13 of this Part for sample Report Form).

B. The victim of bullying, anyone who witnesses an incidence of bullying, and anyone who has credible information that an act of bullying has taken place may file a report of bullying.

C. Any student or staff member who believes he/she is being bullied should immediately report such circumstances to an appropriate staff member, teacher or administrator.

D. Parents or guardians of the victim of bullying and parents or guardians of the alleged perpetrator of the bullying shall be notified within twenty-four hours of the incident report. When there is a reasonable suspicion that a child is either a bully or a victim of bullying, the parents/ guardians of the child will be notified immediately by the principal, director or head of school.

E. Responsibility of Staff:

1. School staff, including volunteers, who observe an act of bullying or who have reasonable grounds to believe that bullying is taking place must report the bullying to school authorities.

2. Failure to do so may result in disciplinary action.

F. Responsibility of Students:

1. Students who observe an act of bullying or who have reasonable grounds to believe that bullying is taking place must report the bullying to school authorities.

2. Failure to do so may result in disciplinary action.

3. The victim of bullying, however, shall not be subject to discipline for failing to report the bullying. Student reports of bullying or retaliation may be made anonymously, provided, however, that no disciplinary action shall be taken against a student solely on the basis of an anonymous report.

G. Prohibition against Retaliation:

1. Retaliation or threats of retaliation in any form designed to intimidate the victim of bullying, those who are witnesses to bullying, or those investigating an incident of bullying shall not be tolerated.

2. Retaliation or threat of retaliation will result in the imposition of discipline in accordance with the school behavior code.

H. False Reporting/Accusations:

1. A school employee, school volunteer or student who knowingly makes a false accusation of bullying or retaliation shall be disciplined in accordance with the school behavior code.

I. Reports in Good Faith:

1. A school employee, school volunteer, student, parent/ legal guardian, or caregiver who promptly reports, in good faith, an act of bullying to the appropriate school official designated in the school's policy shall be immune from a cause of action for damages arising from reporting bullying.

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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