A RESOLUTION honoring the tenth anniversary of 2016 Regular Session Senate Bill 228 and recognizing its lasting impact on bullying prevention in Kentucky public schools.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Danny Carroll

Establishes Kentucky's first statewide bullying definition to guide consistent prevention, reporting, and intervention in public schools, benefiting students and staff.

adopted by voice vote

#commendationsandrecognitions #education #elementaryandsecondary

Summary of SR 111 (2026RS) – Kentucky

Purpose and intent

A Senate Resolution commemorating the tenth anniversary of the 2016 Regular Session Senate Bill 228.

Recognizes the lasting impact of SB 228 on bullying prevention, reporting, and response in Kentucky public schools.

Key provisions and changes of SB 228 (as memorialized)

Establishes the first statewide definition of bullying in Kentucky public schools.

Definition: bullying is “any unwanted verbal, physical, or social behavior among students that involves a real or perceived power imbalance and is repeated or has the potential to be repeated.”

The resolution highlights that this definition:

Provides clarity for teachers and administrators to identify and address bullying consistently.
Creates a pathway for students experiencing bullying to be heard, believed, and helped.

Emphasizes the broader impact of the definition on school climate and student well-being.

Who is affected

Public school students in Kentucky (approximately 640,000 students per year at the time of enactment; over a decade, about 1.2 million students have been impacted).

School personnel (teachers, administrators, counselors) who are responsible for recognizing, reporting, and addressing bullying under the defined criteria.

The broader school community and families, given improved reporting and intervention mechanisms.

Procedural and timeline aspects

The bill was introduced on February 20, 2026, referred to the Senate Committee on Committees, advanced to the Senate Floor, and adopted by voice vote on March 16, 2026.

The resolution itself does not create new statutory duties beyond recognizing the anniversary; it serves to honor and highlight the ongoing impact of SB 228.

The Clerk of the Senate is directed to transmit a copy of the resolution to Senator Danny Carroll.

Additional context and significance

The resolution references findings from the Kentucky Youth Bullying Prevention Task Force (appointed in 2014) which informed SB 228.

It notes that bullying is a statewide concern with consequences extending beyond schools to families and communities.

The resolution frames SB 228 as a foundational step toward clearer, more consistent bullying prevention, reporting, and accountability in Kentucky public schools.

This summary focuses on the substantive content and impact of the legislation as presented in SR 111, clarifying its commemorative nature and the enduring effects of the 2016 SB 228 definition of bullying.