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HB 2142

Requiring each school district adopt an independent review process as part of such district's policies prohibiting and preventing bullying.

2025-2026 Regular Session

HB 2142: districts must adopt an independent, neutral review for bullying complaints, allowing complainants to seek external review when handling is inadequate or remedies fail.

Died in Committee
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Bill Summary · HB 2142

Summary — HB 2142 (Introduced 2025)

Title: Requiring each school district to adopt an independent review process as part of the district’s anti‑bullying policies
Status: Referred to Committee on Education (introduced Jan 28, 2025)

Purpose and intent

HB 2142 requires school boards to include an independent review process in their policies and procedures for prohibiting and preventing bullying. The bill is intended to give complainants an avenue for neutral, external review when they believe a school’s handling of a bullying allegation was inadequate, incorrect, or resulted in an insufficient remedy.

Key provisions

  • Creates a new statutory right for any person who files a bullying report to request an independent review if they:
    1. Believe the school administrator failed to correctly analyze or investigate the complaint because the conduct was not deemed bullying;
    2. Are dissatisfied with the final determination after the administrator’s investigation; or
    3. Believe a determination that bullying occurred was followed by an inadequate school response to correct the problem.
  • Request process: the request for an independent review must be made in writing to the district superintendent. The superintendent must promptly notify the local board of education.
  • Board options: the local board may (a) conduct its own review, or (b) direct that an independent review be initiated.
  • Independent review: when directed by the board (or after the board’s review followed by renewal of the request), the superintendent must promptly initiate an independent review conducted by a neutral person. School administrators and relevant staff must cooperate so the review can proceed expeditiously.
  • Scope of independent review: interviews of the person who made the report and relevant staff, plus review of written materials from the original administrator’s investigation.
  • Policy requirements: school board anti‑bullying policies must include procedures implementing the independent review process.
  • Statutory amendments: the bill amends K.S.A. 72‑6147 (definitions and anti‑bullying policy/plan requirements) and repeals the existing section (per the introduced language). The bill also reiterates that policies must prohibit bullying (including cyberbullying) by students, staff, or parents toward students or staff on school property, vehicles, or at school‑sponsored activities, and must include training/education provisions.

Who is affected

  • Complainants (students, parents, staff, or others who report bullying) — gain the ability to request an external review.
  • School administrators and staff — subject to cooperation obligations for independent reviews.
  • Local school boards and superintendents — required to adopt and implement the independent review procedure and oversee initiation of reviews.
  • Neutral reviewers — may be engaged by districts; potential added administrative/contractual costs.

Fiscal and operational impact

  • Kansas Department of Education: reports no fiscal effect on its operations or state aid payments.
  • Kansas Association of School Boards: notes increased administrative oversight and likely additional costs for hiring neutral reviewers; exact fiscal impact not estimated.
  • Operationally, districts will need to adopt or modify policies, incorporate procedures, and arrange for neutral reviewers when directed.

Effective date / procedural notes

  • As introduced, the act would take effect upon publication in the statute book (i.e., upon becoming law and publication).
  • Current legislative status: introduced and referred to the House Committee on Education (filed Jan 28, 2025).

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

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