HB366 Alabama 2018 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

John F. Knight Jr

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2018

Title

Schools, student harassment, Student Harassment Prevention Act, name changed to Jamari Terrell Williams Act, expand act to include harassment of a student by another student, intimidation, violence, and threats of violence off of school property, cyberbullying, Secs. 16-28B-1 to 16-28B-5, inclusive, am'd.

Summary

HB 366 renames the Student Harassment Prevention Act to the Jamari Terrell Williams Act and expands protections to include off-property harassment and cyberbullying.

What This Bill Does

Expands the act to cover harassment, intimidation, violence, and threats between students even when it happens off school property, including online bullying. Renames the act to the Jamari Terrell Williams Act and updates the definition of bullying to include off-property conduct and cyberbullying. Requires schools to adopt policies, publish reporting forms, conduct annual anti-bullying programs, and investigate and respond to verified incidents. directs the Department of Education to create a model policy for local boards to adopt, and allows local boards to add characteristics that may lead to harassment.

Who It Affects

• Students in pre-K through 12 who could be victims or targets of harassment, including those impacted by off-property or cyberbullying.
• Parents or guardians of affected students who can file written complaints.
• Local boards of education, schools, and staff who must implement policies, programs, and reporting/investigation procedures.
• The Alabama Department of Education, which will develop a model policy and guidance for schools.

Key Provisions

• Act renamed to Jamari Terrell Williams Act and scope expanded to include off-property harassment and cyberbullying.
• Harassment/bullying definition updated to include off-property conduct and cyberbullying with criteria such as causing fear, interfering with learning, disrupting school, and creating a hostile environment.
• Complaints must be filed in writing by the affected student or their parent/guardian; not filed by a school employee on behalf of the student or guardian.
• Schools must develop programs (including peer mediation), conduct annual anti-bullying discussions, and form committees to address bullying and school safety.
• The Department must develop a model policy with definitions, expected behavior, graduated consequences, reporting and investigation procedures, retaliation prohibition, and false accusation penalties; policies must be publicized in handbooks and on websites.
• Local boards may add a nonexhaustive list of characteristics that may lead to harassment; the list will be included in the code of conduct and student handbook.
• Effective date: the act takes effect on the first day of the third month after governor approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Harassment