Reporting
Disclaimer: All information provided by Stand Together Louisiana cannot be considered legal or mental health advice, as we are not law or mental health professionals. We have conducted hours upon hours of research to provide the information we share with you. If, for any reason, you have comments, questions, or concerns, or cannot find information you're seeking, please Contact Us. Thanks!
Bullying & Legislation
What is the definition of bullying?
HB697 - Definition of Bullying (pdf)
Act 697 (See Text) (gov website)
What is the "Original Bullying Law"?
There was an Act passed on June 14, 2012 (Act 861 - listed under Louisiana legislature as RS 17:416.13) that updated parts of RS 17:415 and RS 17:416 and formed RS 17:416.13. It outlines (A) Student Code of Conduct, (B) Bullying Policy, (C) Bullying Definition, (D) Rules & Regulations for Reporting & Investigating, (E) Parental Responsibilities, and (F) - (H) Other. It's a lot of reading, but has tons of good information in there.
LA Legislature - RS 17:416.13 (pdf)
LA Legislature - RS 17:416.13 (gov website)
What is the "New Bullying Law" or "Act 697"?
There was an Act passed on June 18, 2022 (Act 697 - listed under Louisiana legislature as RS 17: 416.14) that updated parts of RS 17:416.13 pertaining to Bullying and moved parts pertaining to bullying from RS 17:416.13 to RS 17:416.14. It serves to reiterate what was already in place as of 2012 with some important additions. It also adds that nonpublic schools adopt the legislation. It adds that all school personnel and even school chaperones who witness or receive reports of bullying are mandated to report that bullying to school administration or face suspension without pay. It also adds that every failure to report an incident must be reported to the Department of Education by August 1st, and DOE to report to BESE by September 1st.
Act 697 (As Passed - Full Text) (pdf)
Other Education Laws that contain the word "bully"
RS 17:53 - School board members; training required
RS 17:416.4 - Civil liability; legal defense and indemnification of all public school employees
RS 17:416.21 - Behavior of students with exceptionalities; use of seclusion and physical restraint
RS 17:3996 - Charter schools; exemptions; requirements
Other student discipline legislation
There are plenty of rules and regulations when it comes to disciplining children.
Most Education-related legislation falls under RS 17.
RS 17: Education (gov website)
RS 17:416 and forward pertain to Discipline of students
How can I find other Louisiana legislation?
Search Louisiana Laws Here (search bar at bottom for keyword search)
Reporting Bullying
Decide if the instance is defined as bullying
HB697 - Definition of Bullying (pdf)
Act 697 (See Text) (gov website)
Yes - the instance is considered bullying by definition
Complete the Bullying Report Form. Use as much detail as possible. Is your child being bullied by more than one other child? Complete one form per child bullying your child. Use this form to report Student against Child bullying.
LA Dept of Education - Bullying Report Form (Official)
No - the instance is not considered bullying by definition
Skip to the next section titled "Reporting 'Not Defined as Bullying'"
Sign and date each form
E-sign (electronically sign) by using a free online signature tool (internet search free e-sign pdf brings up many!) or using a tool you already own
A second option is to print, physically sign, scan back to your computer, and save each form as a PDF file
If you print and complete a hard copy (or hard copies), be sure to keep a copy (or copies) for yourself. Our suggestion is to scan a copy of each back to your computer and save each as individual PDF files.
If you don't have a scanner, there are free scanner mobile phone apps that can be used to scan and save documents to PDF. You can then email them to yourself and download and save them to your computer. You could also save them to your Google Drive or iCloud on your phone, open them from your computer, and download and save them to your computer.
Files and file names
It's important to save the files with appropriate document names for easier location later:
Example: LA Dept of Education - Bullying Report Form - Studentfirstname Studentlastname - 10.02.2022
If you have multiple reports, add 10.02.2022.01, 10.02.2022.02, and so on to the dates for each file name.
Creating your message
Begin your email. Address it to the principal of your child's school. You should be able to find his or her email address on your school's website.
Attach the file. If you have multiple files, attach them in order by file name.
A general sample of the message could be as follows in the link below. As stated above, this is not legal advice. This format will not apply in every situation. Please contact us if you'd like more assistance with this portion.
Email to Principal - Bullying (Example)
Sending your message
When ready, be sure you have your attachment(s) attached, you've double-checked your writing and grammar, and send to the principal.
Emailing ensures you have written documentation and a timestamped audit trail if needed.
For general reference, email is always a better form of communication because you have written proof of exchanges. You always want to have written proof and documentation to back up your case.
Reporting "Not Defined as Bullying"
Are you sure?
Remember that bullying can be repeated behavior by one child against your child or a group of children against your child, according to the definition of bullying. If your child is being taunted and teased by groups of children but not necessarily one child, it could still be considered bullying according to the definition of bullying per Act 697, RS 17:416.13 - RS 17:416.14.
We encourage you to read the definition carefully to determine whether or not what your child is experiencing falls under the definition of bullying. If it does, follow steps under the heading "Reporting Bullying".
HB697 - Definition of Bullying (pdf)
Act 697 (See Text) (gov website)
It's not bullying. Now what?
You should still email the principal and request a formal review concerning harassment of your child. Provide all details, just like you would have done on the Bullying Report Form. We have created the Formal Request for Investigation Report Form (Unofficial) (below) to aid in filing non-bullying formal requests. It is not a formal Louisiana Department of Education form, however, it serves exactly the same purpose and provides the same information in a familiar format for school officials. This will hopefully make it easier to file reports like this and process them from their end.
Please use this language in the email to the principal if you use the above form:
This form has been provided by the nonprofit group Stand Together, in an unofficial capacity, to aid in filing my request(s) for investigation. There is no formal process on record in the school handbook or forms that could be located otherwise. If this process is documented or I should follow another procedure, please send that information to me. Otherwise, please accept my forms as is.
Formal Request for Investigation Report Form (Unofficial)
Sign and date each form
E-sign (electronically sign) by using a free online signature tool (internet search free e-sign pdf brings up many!) or using a tool you already own
A second option is to print, physically sign, scan back to your computer, and save each form as a PDF file
If you print and complete a hard copy (or hard copies), be sure to keep a copy (or copies) for yourself. Our suggestion is to scan a copy of each back to your computer and save each as individual PDF files.
If you don't have a scanner, there are free scanner mobile phone apps that can be used to scan and save documents to PDF. You can then email them to yourself and download and save them to your computer. You could also save them to your Google Drive or iCloud on your phone, open them from your computer, and download and save them to your computer.
Files and file names
It's important to save the files with appropriate document names for easier location later:
Example: Formal Request for Investigation Report Form (Unofficial) - Studentfirstname Studentlastname - 10.02.2022
If you have multiple reports, add 10.02.2022.01, 10.02.2022.02, and so on to the dates for each file name.
Creating your message
Begin your email. Address it to the principal of your child's school. You should be able to find his or her email address on your school's website.
Attach the file. If you have multiple files, attach them in order by file name.
A general sample of the message could be as follows in the link below. As stated above, this is not legal advice. This format will not apply in every situation. Please contact us if you'd like more assistance with this portion.
Email to Principal - Non-Bullying (Example)
Sending your message
When ready, be sure you have your attachment(s) attached, you've double-checked your writing and grammar, and send to the principal.
Emailing ensures you have written documentation and a timestamped audit trail if needed.
For general reference, email is always a better form of communication because you have written proof of exchanges. You always want to have written proof and documentation to back up your case.
No Computer? No Problem.
I don't have a have computer at home
The best solution would be to use your local library's computer, printing, and scanning services. There is a very nominal fee for printing, if at all.
Bossier Parish Libraries - Computer Access
Other solutions would be computer rental station options at FedEx or UPS.
FedEx Store - Computer Workstation - Find a Location
UPS Store - Computer Workstation - Find a Store
I don't have an email address
Email addresses can be created for free with almost any popular provider these days. Create a free Gmail account at the link below.
Reporting Workflow & Checklist
What should happen after I submit my email and form(s)?
Use this checklist beginning at the Reporting Procedures section on Page 1. This is everything that should be happening once you submit your email.
Checklist - District Implementation - Bullying
This flowchart is a visual representation of the above checklist.
Principal Designee Responsibilities Flowchart
What is the Bullying Investigation Form?
The principal uses the Bullying Investigation Form (noted in the checklist and flowchart above) to document the bullying investigation. This form is also copied and filed in the alleged victim's and alleged bully's student records, and it is also filed with the LDOE (Louisiana Department of Education).
LA Dept of Education - Bullying Investigation Form
What happens after I submit the non-bullying form?
Considering there is no formal investigation that can be located as it relates to the "Formal Request for Investigation Report Form (Unofficial)", the process should probably be a mixture between RS 17:416 (and 17:416.1 and so on as they apply) and how the Bullying Report Form investigation procedure works. There is a duty to act no matter what, so you should receive some sort of conclusion if you file that form with the principal.
The principal has completed his or her investigation and wants to talk
Reminder: Email is always a better form of communication because you have written proof of exchanges. You always want to have written proof and documentation to back up your case.
Ask the principal for separate reports in writing via email related to each form you submitted.
If the principal calls to give you a summary of the conclusions, tell her you would prefer an email with separate reports in writing related to each form you submitted. They have to have these in writing anyway, so you would basically be asking for a summary of those written details.
Obviously, they cannot give you details about minor children, but they can relay information in writing about what is going to happen without using names or confidential specifics. You can always ask questions via email as long as it doesn't jeopardize any safety concerns for any children involved. You should always push (respectfully) for answers if the conclusion is unsatisfactory or unclear.
Tell the principal if you have any questions or concerns, you will follow up via email after you have a chance to review.
Appropriate Steps Were Not Taken
The workflow/checklist/process was not completed properly
If the principal did not follow the workflow/checklist/process properly, please Contact Us immediately for further review.
Formal Complaints Against School Personnel
Formal Complaint Process
*Information Pending on this Section*
There seems to be no formal process for filing a formal complaint against school personnel. The only verbiage we found (and can no longer) said to address concerns with the principal first. This would be similar to the reporting structure for the Bullying Report Form, so we've decided upon the below until we are told otherwise.
To make a formal complaint against a school employee, you should email the principal and request a formal review concerning the school employee. Provide all details, just like you would have done on the Bullying Report Form.
Providing Backup
You choose to include backup (evidence, documentation, emails, photos, etc.) with your email to further validate your case
Files and file names
It's important to save the files with appropriate document names for easier location later:
Example: Formal Complaint - Employeefirstname Employeelastname - 10.02.2022
If you have multiple files, add 10.02.2022.01, 10.02.2022.02, and so on to the dates for each file name.
Creating your message
Begin your email. Address it to the principal of your child's school. You should be able to find his or her email address on your school's website.
Attach files, if applicable. If you have multiple files, attach them in order by file name.
A general sample of the message could be as follows in the link below. As stated above, this is not legal advice. This format will not apply in every situation. Please contact us if you'd like more assistance with this portion.
Email to Principal - Formal Complaint (Example)
Sending your message
When ready, be sure you've double-checked your writing and grammar and send to the principal.
Emailing ensures you have written documentation and a timestamped audit trail if needed.
For general reference, email is always a better form of communication because you have written proof of exchanges. You always want to have written proof and documentation to back up your case.
What happens next?
The flow should work something along the lines of the principal receiving your complaint, the principal investigating the complaint by interviewing all parties including the employee, and the principal reaching back out to you to provide a solution.
You may always ask for this solution to be provided in writing via email rather than phone call.
Unsatisfied with Principal's Answer
If you are unsatisfied with the results of any of the investigative reports, the next step is to contact the school board. ***In the process of updating this step.***
Unsatisfied with School Board's Answer
If you are unsatisfied with the results of any of the investigative reports, the next step is to contact the LA Dept of Education. ***In the process of updating this step.***
Anonymous Reporting
Is there a way to report something anonymously?
Yes, Bossier Parish has an anonymous reporting option. However, we have not confirmed who receives the information or the process behind this tool. This is not to say it is unsafe or unsatisfactory, but we like to know details before we recommend anything to you!
The "Bully" is Still at School
Time to discuss a School Stay Away Agreement
You reported a bullying situation, the bully is still at school, and your child is feeling unsafe. What can you do?
First - Protection for your child is of utmost importance. Email the principal and ask that he or she complete a School Stay Away Agreement confirming that the other child will not come into contact with your child at school, on school property, during school events, at the bus stop, or on the bus. This conference will be between the principal, the alleged perpetrator, and his or her parents.
The sample agreement below states: "This means that you may not approach, talk to, sit by, or have any contact with the student(s) named above at school or on school property, school buses, school bus stops, or at school-related events."
Sample School Stay Away Agreement - Bullying
A general sample of the message could be as follows in the link below. As stated above, this is not legal advice. This format will not apply in every situation. Please contact us if you'd like more assistance with this portion.
Email to Principal - Stay Away Request (Example)
Sending your message
When ready, be sure you've double-checked your writing and grammar and send to the principal.
Emailing ensures you have written documentation and a timestamped audit trail if needed.
For general reference, email is always a better form of communication because you have written proof of exchanges. You always want to have written proof and documentation to back up your case.
What happens next?
The flow should work something along the lines of the principal receiving your complaint, the principal investigating the complaint by interviewing all parties including the employee, and the principal reaching back out to you to provide a solution.
You may always ask for this solution to be provided in writing via email rather than phone call.
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