HLS 12RS-5237 ORIGINAL
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Regular Session, 2012
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 159
BY REPRESENTATIVE SMITH
EDUCATION: Requests that the La. School Boards Association develop and implement a
training program for school board members on harassment, intimidation, and
bullying of students
A RESOLUTION1
To urge and request the Louisiana School Boards Association to develop and implement a2
training program for school board members on harassment, intimidation, and3
bullying of students to be conducted at its annual conference or in special meetings4
throughout the state.5
WHEREAS, as stated in the Constitution of Louisiana, it is the goal of the public6
educational system to provide learning environments and experiences at all stages of human7
development that are humane, just, and designed to promote excellence in order that every8
individual may be afforded an equal opportunity to develop to his full potential; and9
WHEREAS, current law requires most city, parish, and other local public school10
boards to adopt a student code of conduct, which shall incorporate a policy prohibiting the11
harassment, intimidation, and bullying of a student by another student; and12
WHEREAS, in spite of current law, there are students who suffer harassment,13
intimidation, and bullying by other students; and14
WHEREAS, student safety should be the utmost priority at both the state and local15
levels; and16
WHEREAS, training for school board members relative to bullying is one way to17
raise awareness and might help to alleviate the epidemic of bullying in public schools; and18 HLS 12RS-5237 ORIGINAL
HR NO. 159
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WHEREAS, this training should include but need not be limited to content relative1
to suicide prevention, including the relationship between suicide risk factors and harassment,2
intimidation, and bullying; and 3
WHEREAS, this training should be based on information supported by4
peer-reviewed research conducted in compliance with accepted scientific methods and5
recognized as accurate by leading professional organizations and agencies with relevant6
experience, such as the American Psychological Association, Louisiana School Counselors7
Association, and the state Department of Health and Hospitals; and8
WHEREAS, in order for the public education system to meet its constitutional goal9
of providing learning environments and experiences at all stages of human development that10
are humane, just, and designed to promote excellence, it is imperative that every possible11
precaution be taken to ensure the protection of Louisiana's students from harassment,12
intimidation, and bullying.13
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the14
Legislature of Louisiana does hereby urge and request the Louisiana School Boards15
Association to develop and implement a training program for school board members on16
harassment, intimidation, and bullying of students to be conducted at its annual conference17
or in special meetings throughout the state.18
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a suitable copy of this Resolution be transmitted19
to the executive director of the Louisiana School Boards Association.20
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)]
Smith HR No. 159
Requests that the La. School Boards Association develop and implement a training program
for school board members on harassment, intimidation, and bullying of students to be
conducted at its annual conference or in special meetings throughout the state.