Georgia Code Title 20. Education § 20-2-751.4
(a) As used in this Code section, the term “bullying” means an act that is:
(1) Any willful attempt or threat to inflict injury on another person, when accompanied by an apparent present ability to do so;
(2) Any intentional display of force such as would give the victim reason to fear or expect immediate bodily harm; or
(3) Any intentional written, verbal, or physical act which a reasonable person would perceive as being intended to threaten, harass, or intimidate, that:
(A) Causes another person substantial physical harm within the meaning of Code Section 16-5-23.1 or visible bodily harm as such term is defined in Code Section 16-5-23.1 ;
(B) Has the effect of substantially interfering with a student’s education;
(C) Is so severe, persistent, or pervasive that it creates an intimidating or threatening educational environment; or
(D) Has the effect of substantially disrupting the orderly operation of the school.
The term applies to acts which occur on school property, on school vehicles, at designated school bus stops, or at school related functions or activities or by use of data or software that is accessed through a computer, computer system, computer network, or other electronic technology of a local school system. The term also applies to acts of cyberbullying which occur through the use of electronic communication, whether or not such electronic act originated on school property or with school equipment, if the electronic communication (1) is directed specifically at students or school personnel, (2) is maliciously intended for the purpose of threatening the safety of those specified or substantially disrupting the orderly operation of the school, and (3) creates a reasonable fear of harm to the students’ or school personnel’s person or property or has a high likelihood of succeeding in that purpose. For purposes of this Code section, electronic communication includes but is not limited to any transfer of signs, signals, writings, images, sounds, data or intelligence of any nature transmitted in whole or in part by a wire, radio, electromagnetic, photo electronic or photo optical system. (https://codes.findlaw.com/ga/title-20-education/ga-code-sect-20-2-751-4.html)
Proposed: “The End to Cyberbullying Act” – includes off campus and cyberbullying (http://www.legis.ga.gov/Legislation/20112012/110632.pdf)
SB 250 (2010): http://www.legis.ga.gov/Legislation/20092010/107812.pdf: Students found bullying third time in school year are sent to alternative school, requires that policies against bullying be posted in all middle and high schools, requires that bullying policies be included in student and parent handbooks.
O.C.G.A. 20-2-751.4: “…by use of data or software that is accessed through a computer, computer system, computer network, or other electronic technology of a local school system…”
1999 Georgia Laws, H.B. 84, Chap. 282 (O.C.G.A. § 20-2-751.4 and O.C.G.A. § 20-2-751.5.) Requires the implementation of a character education program at all grade levels that is to include methods of discouraging bullying and violent acts against fellow students. Adds razor blade to the definition of weapon. (link defunct)
Criminal electronic harassment: Harassing communications
