New Indiana Law Increases Reporting for Incidents of Bullying

According to the most recent data, there were 7,700 reported incident during the 2023-24 school year. 

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INDIANAPOLIS - As students return to the classroom, a new law regarding bullying is in effect. 

House Bill 1539, authored by State Rep. Vernon G. Smith (D-Gary), requires school corporations to report incidents of bullying no later than one business day to parents of the alleged perpetrator and targeted student. 

The previous law allowed schools to report no later than five business days.

According to the most recent data, there were 7,700 reported incident during the 2023-24 school year. 

The Indiana Youth Institute reports that 40.6 percent of parents in Indiana reported their child aged 6-17 was bullied in the 2022-23 school year. This is higher than the national rate of 38.4 percent.

“Education is an essential part of childhood, and we want our schools to be a safe haven. Sometimes coming to school is the only way a student gets a hot meal, chats with a positive adult influence or sees their cherished friends. Our children deserve to be safe in the school building. 

The new law also expands the definition of bullying to include severe, one-time acts, not just repeated offenses.