Hawaii-2022-HR13-Introduced

WHEREAS, the Hawaii Administrative Rules §8-19-2 defines "Bullying" as "any written, verbal, graphic, or physical act that hurts, harms, humiliates or intimidates a student . . . that is sufficiently severe, persistent, or pervasive that it creates an intimidating, threatening, or abusive educational environment"; and

WHEREAS, the State of Hawaii recognizes this commitment to fostering a safe and positive learning environment in local schools in HB225 HD2 SD1, requiring the Board of Education to "develop a bullying prevention and response action plan"; and

WHEREAS, the Hawaii Multi-Tiered System of Supports framework (HMTSS) engages school teams to monitor bullying prevention efforts in three areas: Prevention, Reporting, and Follow-up; and

WHEREAS, the Hawaii Revised Statutes §302A-1002 includes provisions surrounding unreported "[b]ullying, cyberbullying, and harassment" by any "who knows or has reason to believe that an act has been or will be committed" to be subject to "probation, suspension, demotion, and discharge of school officials"; and

WHEREAS, the 2021 Hawaii Youth Behavioral Risk Survey reports "40% [of middle school youth] were bullied on school property, 23.1% seriously considered suicide, and 12.4% attempted suicide during past 12 months"; and

WHEREAS, the 2019 Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS) reports "1 in 6 high school youth in Hawaii are reported to be skipping school due to concerns for their safety"; and

WHEREAS, the coming-of-age film "Butter" (2022) addresses the severe effects of childhood and adolescent bullying, including repercussions involving declining physical and mental health and suicide; and

WHEREAS, the protagonist in the movie "Butter" quotes "[He] did not want to die. [He] just wanted the unbearable pain to go away"; and

WHEREAS, prevention of negative long-term effects of bullying can be alleviated from the support of parents and other supportive figures, including relatives, peers, and teachers; and

WHEREAS, the rise of technology has increased peer victimization and allowed instigators to anonymously harass victims through social media, instant messaging, and online communities; and

WHEREAS, children who experience bullying often do not report their experiences due to shame or fear, and are often overt about seeking help from health providers or adults; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Thirty-first Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2022, that the Legislature support the further development and implementation of preventative safety measures against childhood bullying and for the promotion of adolescent health; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Board of Education shall develop a bullying prevention and response action plan to inform students, school employees or volunteers, and Department employees of any implemented procedures; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Board shall establish requirements for preserving and documenting evidence of bullying and harassment in the Department or Hawaii schools; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Board shall review and update the bullying prevention and response action plan every twenty-four months to incorporate best practices in bullying prevention, education, investigation, reporting, and resolution; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED the Board, or Department as the board's designee, is requested to submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2023; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Speaker of the House, the President of the Senate, the Chairman of the House Committee on Education, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Education, and the Chairwoman of the Department of Education.

	OFFERED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title:

Supporting advocacy against childhood bullying.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.R. NO.	13
THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2022
STATE OF HAWAII