Senate Bill No. 338, introduced by Senator Barrow, aims to enhance the procedures for preventing and addressing bullying in schools. The bill enacts a new provision under R.S. 17:416.14(D)(3)(e)(iii), which requires that when a school determines that bullying has occurred, the school official must not only take appropriate disciplinary action and report any criminal conduct to law enforcement but also mandate that the student involved and their parent participate in a court-approved decision-making course related to the student's conduct.

This addition to the existing law emphasizes a more comprehensive approach to handling bullying incidents by incorporating educational elements aimed at preventing future occurrences. The bill is set to take effect on August 1, 2026, and seeks to ensure that both students and their guardians are actively involved in addressing and rectifying bullying behavior.