Cyberbullying: off-campus acts: model policy.

Led by Assembly Member Lowenthal, with Principal coauthor Bryan and supporting coauthor Bonta, the measure shifts attention to off-campus, after-hours cyberbullying by requiring a state-developed model policy and a mandated local adoption pathway for school districts, county offices of education, and charter schools serving students in grades four through twelve. The core provision authorizes LEAs to address such acts, clarifies that they are not required to do so, and requires posting of the adopted policy on district and school websites, while establishing that the process is a state-mupported framework rather than a mandated enforcement action.

The department must develop, post, and distribute a model policy by June 30, 2026, in consultation with relevant stakeholders and with the option to draw on existing frameworks such as multi-tiered systems of supports, restorative justice practices, trauma-informed approaches, social and emotional learning, and schoolwide positive behavior interventions and supports. In developing the model policy, the department should consider guidance on what constitutes an intimidating or hostile educational environment and the factors that demonstrate severity and pervasiveness. The policy must be suitable for LEAs serving grades 4–12, and LEAs may adopt the model policy or a locally developed policy with stakeholder input.

By July 1, 2027, each local educational agency is required to adopt a policy—or modify its existing procedures under the current bullying-prevention framework—to address reported cyberbullying occurring off-campus and outside school hours when the conduct is sufficiently severe or pervasive to affect the school environment, with posting on the LEA’s website and on each schoolsite’s website. The act defines LEAs to include school districts, county offices of education, and charter schools, and it explicitly states that there is no liability imposed on LEAs for failing to address such acts. The measure creates a state-mandated local program element, with reimbursements possible if the Commission on State Mandates determines the act imposes costs mandated by the state, pursuant to applicable Government Code provisions.

Implementation and policy alignment are structured to interact with existing anti-bullying requirements. The LEA a policy adopts may be the department’s model policy or a locally developed policy with stakeholder input, and it must relate to procedures previously adopted under the general bullying framework. The department is required to consult with stakeholders in developing the model policy, and the approach may incorporate established frameworks to support students’ social-emotional development and campus climate. Local costs for policy development, stakeholder engagement, staff training, and website posting may arise, with potential state reimbursement if mandated costs are determined, and with ongoing oversight through the standard mandate mechanisms.