HLS 12RS-1689 ORIGINAL
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Regular Session, 2012
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON NO. 53
BY REPRESENTATIVE THIBAUT
BESE: Requests that the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education compile and
study bullying policies contained in student codes of conduct and make
recommendations with respect to uniform guidelines and procedures and the
feasibility of providing for additional guidance counselors
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON1
To urge and request the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education to compile and2
study the policies that are contained in student codes of conduct and that prohibit3
harassment, intimidation, and bullying and to submit a written report of its findings4
and recommendations to the House Committee on Education and the Senate5
Committee on Education not later than sixty days prior to the beginning of the 20136
Regular Session of the Legislature of Louisiana.7
WHEREAS, as stated in the Constitution of Louisiana, it is the goal of the public8
educational system to provide learning environments and experiences at all stages of human9
development that are humane, just, and designed to promote excellence in order that every10
individual may be afforded an equal opportunity to develop to his full potential; and11
WHEREAS, current law, R.S. 17:416.13, requires most city, parish, and other local12
public school boards to adopt a student code of conduct, which shall incorporate a policy13
prohibiting the harassment, intimidation, and bullying of a student by another student; and14
WHEREAS, that law defines the terms "harassment", "intimidation", and "bullying"15
as any intentional gesture or written, verbal, or physical act that a reasonable person under16
the circumstances should know will have the effect of harming a student or damaging his17
property or placing a student in reasonable fear of harm to his life or person or damage to18
his property and is so severe, persistent, or pervasive that it creates an intimidating,19
threatening, or abusive educational environment for a student; and20 HLS 12RS-1689 ORIGINAL
HCR NO. 53
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WHEREAS, in spite of current law, there are students who suffer harassment,1
intimidation, and bullying by other students; and2
WHEREAS, student safety should be the utmost priority at both the state and local3
levels; and4
WHEREAS, in order for the public education system to meet its constitutional goal5
of providing learning environments and experiences at all stages of human development that6
are humane, just, and designed to promote excellence, it is imperative that every possible7
precaution be taken to ensure the protection of Louisiana's students from harassment,8
intimidation, and bullying.9
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby10
urge and request the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education to compile and11
study the policies that are contained in student codes of conduct and that prohibit12
harassment, intimidation, and bullying and to make recommendations which include but are13
not limited to the following:14
(1) Recommendations relative to uniform guidelines and procedures for use by15
public school governing authorities in dealing with instances of harassment, intimidation,16
and bullying.17
(2) Recommendations relative to the feasibility of providing for additional guidance18
counselors in grades kindergarten through twelve in the effort to address harassment,19
intimidation, and bullying.20
(3) Recommendations for legislation, if any, relative to harassment, intimidation,21
and bullying.22
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the legislature requests that the State Board of23
Elementary and Secondary Education submit a written report of its findings and24
recommendations to the House Committee on Education and the Senate Committee on25
Education not later than sixty days prior to the beginning of the 2013 Regular Session of the26
Legislature of Louisiana.27
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a suitable copy of this Resolution be transmitted28
to the president of the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education and to the state29
superintendent of education.30 HLS 12RS-1689 ORIGINAL
HCR NO. 53
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DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
Thibaut HCR No. 53
Requests that the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) compile and
study the policies contained in student codes of conduct that prohibit harassment,
intimidation, and bullying and make recommendations which include but are not limited to
the following:
(1)Recommendations relative to uniform guidelines and procedures for use by public
school governing authorities in dealing with instances of harassment, intimidation,
and bullying.
(2) Recommendations relative to the feasibility of providing for additional guidance
counselors in grades K-12 in the effort to address harassment, intimidation, and
bullying.
(3)Recommendations for legislation, if any, relative to harassment, intimidation, and
bullying.
Requests that BESE submit a written report of findings and recommendations to the House
and Senate education committees at least 60 days before the beginning of the 2013 R.S.