HD 1797 Massachusetts House · 194th Legislature (2025-2026)

An Act relative to the enforcement of anti-bullying policies in our schools

This bill strengthens school anti-bullying policies by requiring schools to implement comprehensive plans that include parent education on bullying prevention, online safety, and reporting procedures. It prohibits retaliation against students or staff who report bullying, provide investigation information, or share incident data, and mandates quarterly reporting of all bullying incidents (not just verified ones) to the state department. School principals must oversee implementation, file these reports, and ensure counseling for both perpetrators and victims. The state will also launch a pilot program assigning anti-bullying officers to the five schools with the most reported incidents, based on the new quarterly data. The bill directly affects public schools, students, parents, and school staff across the state.
Bill status Introduction 0 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor