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H 591

An Act relative to school bullying

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Danielle Gregoire

Requires MA schools to publish updated bullying prevention plans every 2 years and open a 30-day public comment period, boosting accountability and public involvement.

Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on House Ways and Means
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Bill Summary · H 591

Summary: Bill H.591 – An Act relative to school bullying

Overview

  • Bill Number: H 591
  • Title: An Act relative to school bullying
  • Introduced: February 27, 2025
  • Status: Reported favorably by committee and referred to House Ways and Means; previously filed in 2023-2024 as H.3754
  • Primary sponsor: Rep. Danielle W. Gregoire (Marlborough)

Purpose: Strengthen oversight, transparency, and scope of bullying prevention and intervention in Massachusetts schools, expanding the duty to consult the public, broadening the definition of bullying-related incidents that require action, and extending the window for investigating alleged bullying.

Key Provisions

1) Updated bullying plan reporting to the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education
- The board must ensure every school provides the board with a copy of its updated plan to address bullying prevention and intervention (under subsection (d) of §37O of Chapter 71).
- If a school fails to comply, the board and the commissioner may use all powers available under this section to obtain the updated plan.

2) Public consultation and notice requirements for plan updates
- When updating the plan, the school must:
- Post notice and a draft copy of the updated plan in conspicuous locations on campus and on the school website.
- Hold a public comment period of up to 30 days for written comments on the updated plan (nonpublic schools must provide notice and comment opportunities only to families with a child attending the school).
- If no plan exists yet, there shall be a public comment period on the development of the original plan; once the original plan is completed, steps (i) and (ii) apply.
- Schools must consider all relevant comments before finalizing the plan and any subsequent updates.
- The plan must be updated at least every 2 years, and a copy of the updated plan must be submitted to the board within 30 days of completion.

3) Expansion of retaliation coverage
- The bill expands the term “retaliation” to include incidents that result in students being suspended or expelled.

4) Investigation window
- The Department of Education (or relevant department) must investigate certain alleged bullying incidents within 2 years of the alleged occurrence.

Who/What Is Affected

  • Public and nonpublic schools (and their leaders) in Massachusetts
  • School boards and the Department of Education
  • Students and their families (through required public comment processes)
  • The Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (for oversight and receipt of updated plans)

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Updates to bullying plans every 2 years; updated plans due to the board within 30 days of completion
  • Public comment periods: 30 days for updated plans; prior to development of the original plan if no plan exists
  • Enforcement/compliance mechanisms available to the board and commissioner for noncompliance
  • Investigation of bullying incidents within a 2-year window of the incident

Legislative History (highlights)

  • 2025-02-27: Referred to the House Committee on Education
  • 2025-02-27: Senate concurred
  • 2025-06-06: Hearing scheduled for 06/17/2025 (B-2)
  • 2025-09-25: Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the Committee on House Ways and Means

This bill aims to increase accountability and participation in bullying prevention efforts, broaden the scope of covered incidents, and ensure schools regularly review and publicly share their anti-bullying plans.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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