H-8307

   Amend Senate File 2318, as amended, passed, and reprinted by the Senate, as follows:
   1.  By striking everything after the enacting clause and inserting: 
   Section 1.  Section 256.7, Code 2014, is amended by adding the following new subsection:
   NEW SUBSECTION.  33.  Adopt rules incorporating the training required by section 272.2, subsection 19, into the standards for school district or attendance center teacher professional development plans in accordance with section 284.6 and school district or attendance center administrator professional development plans in accordance with section 284A.6.
   Sec. 2.  Section 272.2, Code 2014, is amended by adding the following new subsection:
   NEW SUBSECTION.  19.  a.  Adopt rules requiring all teachers who have regular and substantial contact with students to complete training on harassment and bullying prevention and response as part of their professional development and training plans.
   b.  Adopt rules requiring all individuals applying for or renewing a license, certificate, authorization, or statement of recognition issued by the board who are responsible for conducting investigations of complaints of incidents of harassment or bullying to complete training on the provisions of section 280.28, conducting impartial investigations with transparency, collecting evidence, following up on previous investigations, and reporting founded and unfounded incidents of harassment and bullying to the department.
   c.  Adopt rules requiring all individuals applying for or renewing an administrator license to complete training on implementation of school-wide policies and procedures for harassment and bullying identification, reporting, response, and prevention.
   Sec. 3.  Section 280.28, subsection 2, paragraph a, Code 2014, is amended to read as follows:
   a.  “Electronic” means any communication involving the transmission of information by wire, radio, optical cable, electromagnetic, or other similar means. “Electronic” includes but is not limited to communication via electronic mail, internet-based communications including social networking sites and applications, pager service, cell phones, and electronic text messaging, or any other electronic communication site, device, or means.
   Sec. 4.  Section 280.28, subsection 5, Code 2014, is amended to read as follows:
   5.  Immunity.
   a.  A school employee, volunteer, or student, or a student’s parent or guardian who promptly, reasonably, and in good faith reports an incident of harassment or bullying, in compliance with the procedures in the policy adopted pursuant to this section, to the appropriate school official designated by the school district or accredited nonpublic school, shall be immune from civil or criminal liability relating to such report and to participation in any administrative or judicial proceeding resulting from or relating to the report.
   b.  A school district, school, or employee thereof who reasonably and in good faith follows notification procedures established as provided in subsection 9 shall be immune from civil or criminal liability relating to such notification procedures and to participation in any administrative or judicial proceeding resulting from or relating to such notification procedures.
   Sec. 5.  Section 280.28, Code 2014, is amended by adding the following new subsection:
   NEW SUBSECTION.  9.  Parental notification.
   a.  Each school district and accredited nonpublic school shall establish notification procedures for incidents of harassment or bullying in accordance with this subsection. The procedures shall include notification of the custodial parent or guardian of any student directly involved in any incident of harassment or bullying, upon investigation and determination that harassment or bullying has occurred, consistent with a notification plan made in consultation with the student and school guidance staff. The notification shall include information on the action that school officials have taken regarding the incident and the actions school officials will take to prevent further acts of harassment or bullying. If such notification is delayed, the school district or school shall document the reasons for the delay. This paragraph does not prohibit a school official from contacting a parent or guardian about a report of harassment or bullying prior to a determination that harassment or bullying has occurred.
   b.  The requirements of this subsection shall not apply if a school official reasonably believes notification would subject a student to abuse, neglect, or other physical or mental harm.
   c.  Notification pursuant to this subsection shall comply with state and federal privacy laws, regulations, and rules.>
   2.  Title page, by striking lines 2 through 6 and inserting <antibullying policies and providing for training on harassment and bullying prevention and response.>

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COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS

SODERBERG of Plymouth, Chairperson