O.C.G.A. § 20-2-145

•        As part of a comprehensive character education program for grades K-12, this statute encourages schools to address methods that discourage bullying and violent behavior against other students.

O.C.G.A. § 20-2-751.4

•       This statute defines bullying as, “Any willful attempt or threat to inflict injury on another person, when accompanied by an apparent present ability to do so” or “Any intentional display of force such as would give the victim reason to fear or expect immediate bodily harm.”  It also states that local school boards should adopt policies for students in grades 6-12 that prohibit bullying and that middle and high schools should include these prohibitions in the students code of conduct.

O.C.G.A. § 20-2-751.5

•        This statute addresses student codes of conduct.  More specifically, it encourages the inclusion of certain provisions intended to address the behavior of students at school and during school functions.  Bullying, both verbal and physical is included among the aforementioned behaviors needing to be addressed.

SB 461: Anti-bullying Legislation

The aforementioned statutes are vague and easily open to interpretation.  Research suggests that comprehensive anti-bullying policies with enumerated categories are the most effective with regard to protecting all students.  Georgia currently does not have such a policy; however, organizations such as Georgia Equality are working to change this.   

•        SB 461, introduced in 2008, would have required schools to adopt policies prohibiting bullying in grades K-12.  Although the bill passed through the Senate by a vote of 54-0, it never reached the floor.

•        Anti-bullying legislation will be introduced again in 2010.  Learn how you can take action by visiting www.georgiaequality.org