HB1805

House Bill 1805 amends the definition of 'bullying' in Arkansas public schools to include acts against public school employees in addition to students. It clarifies that bullying involves intentional harassment, intimidation, humiliation, or threats that result in physical harm, interference with education, or a hostile environment. The bill also establishes a legal framework allowing schools to handle investigations of bullying conduct that may overlap with other state or federal laws or regulations. Specifically, it permits a school district to prioritize investigations under these other applicable laws in lieu of standard bullying policy procedures. The bill mandates that once a specific investigative process is chosen, the school must complete it, while noting that these provisions do not excuse schools from complying with overarching state or federal legal obligations.