VIRGINIA (WVVA) – In the wake of several teen suicides that past year, lawmakers in the commonwealth are looking to curb bullying done digitally.
Beginning July 1, public schools must include cyberbullying procedures in their guidelines and codes of conduct.
The new law requires each school board to expand on its policies and procedures relating to the prevention and prohibition of bullying to address instances of internet bullying that takes place off of school grounds between students enrolled in the school system.
School boards are also asked to provide protections to victims or witnesses who report this type of bullying so they are not deterred from coming forward to school officials.
Resources and support services must also be posted throughout the school to help students know where to find help and how to report the cyberbullying.
“No parent should ever have to bury their child, especially at the hands of someone who was bullying them from afar using a phone or a computer,” Senator Bill Stanley (R-Franklin) said.
Stanley was the main sponsor of the bill.
Copyright 2025 WVVA. All rights reserved.
