81R437 JRJ-D
By: Leibowitz H.B. No. 18
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the creation of an anti-bullying hotline.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter C, Chapter 40, Human Resources Code,
is amended by adding Section 40.074 to read as follows:
Sec. 40.074. ANTI-BULLYING HOTLINE. (a) From funds
appropriated for the purpose or available under Section 40.057, the
department shall develop and operate an anti-bullying hotline as
provided by this section.
(b) The department shall maintain the anti-bullying hotline
in association with the department's Texas Abuse/Neglect Hotline.
(c) The anti-bullying hotline must enable a primary or
secondary school student to report an incident of bullying by:
(1) calling a toll-free telephone number; or
(2) using an Internet website.
(d) To the extent the department considers appropriate, an
Internet website maintained under this section may include
information regarding prevention of and education concerning
unwanted physical or verbal aggression, sexual harassment, and
other forms of bullying in school, on school grounds, in school
vehicles, at school bus stops, and at school-sponsored or
school-related activities.
(e) The department shall monitor reports of bullying
submitted under this section and forward the reports to:
(1) the principal of the primary or secondary school
in which the person accused of bullying is enrolled; or
(2) if the person accused of bullying is not enrolled
in a primary or secondary school, the local police department or
sheriff's office with jurisdiction over the matter.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2009.