SB 210 amends existing laws concerning bullying and cyberbullying in schools, enhancing the definition of "negligence" and introducing new reporting requirements for the Department of Education. The bill mandates that school districts adopt written anti-bullying policies that include reporting procedures, protections against retaliation, and disciplinary measures for offenders. It also requires that student handbooks contain information about victims' rights and support services, while allowing parents to enroll their children in public schools outside their resident district. Key insertions include the requirement for the Department of Education to report on parental notification waivers, investigation extensions, and out-of-state cyberbullying cases, while certain provisions related to antibullying policy reporting and the definition of bullying are repealed.

Additionally, SB 210 establishes an open enrollment policy, allowing students to transfer between schools within and outside their districts, with a preference for military-connected students. The bill clarifies that there will be no tuition charges for public school attendance, and the resident district will pay the receiving district a specified amount per pupil. It also streamlines the process for resolving residency disputes and updates the definition of "teacher" to align with federal standards. The new provisions are set to take effect on January 1, 2026, for certain sections, while others will take effect 30 days after passage. Overall, the bill aims to improve legal clarity and flexibility in school attendance and enrollment processes.

Statutes affected:
As Amended by the House: 193-F:6, 193-F:9, 193-F:4, 193-F:3, 193:12, 194-D:1, 194-D:2, 194-D:5, 194-D:7