maine Maine Revised Statutes Title 20-A. Education § 6554 All students have the right to attend public schools that are safe, secure and peaceful environments.  The Legislature finds that bullying and cyberbullying have a negative effect on the school environment and student learning and well-being. “Bullying” includes cyberbullying.
C. “Cyberbullying” means bullying through the use of technology or any electronic communication, including, but not limited to, a transfer of signs, signals, writing, images, sounds, data or intelligence of any nature transmitted by the use of any electronic device, including, but not limited to, a computer, telephone, cellular telephone, text messaging device and personal digital assistant.
4. Scope.  This section applies to bullying that:
A. Takes place at school or on school grounds, at any school-sponsored or school-related activity or event or while students are being transported to or from school or school-sponsored activities or events;  or
B. Takes place elsewhere or through the use of technology, but only if the bullying also infringes on the rights of the student at school as set forth in subsection 2, paragraph B. (https://codes.findlaw.com/me/title-20-a-education/me-rev-st-tit-20-a-sect-6554.html)
§6554. Prohibition on bullying in public schools: “‘Bullying’ includes, but is not limited to, a written, oral or electronic expression or a physical act or gesture or any combination thereof directed at a student or students… ‘Bullying’ includes cyberbullying. [2011, c. 659, §3 (NEW).] ‘Cyberbullying’ means bullying through the use of technology or any electronic communication, including, but not limited to, a transfer of signs, signals, writing, images, sounds, data or intelligence of any nature transmitted by the use of any electronic device, including, but not limited to, a computer, telephone, cellular telephone, text messaging device and personal digital assistant.” (http://www.mainelegislature.org/Legis/Statutes/20-A/title20-Asec6554.html)“ An Act to Prohibit Cyberbullying:” http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/bills_124th/billpdfs/SP035501.pdf P.L. 2005, Ch. 307: http://www.mainelegislature.org/ros/LOM/LOM122nd/8Pub301-350/Pub301-350-06.htm Statute Title 20-A 1001.15H (2005): School officials must “establish procedures and policies to address bullying, harass­ment, and sexual harassment” (http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/statutes/20-A/title20-Asec1001.html) SP035501: Current law requires each school board to adopt a policy that addresses injurious hazing. This bill defines “cyberbullying” as injurious hazing by any verbal, textual or graphic communication of any kind effected, created or transmitted by the use of any electronic device, including but not limited to a computer, telephone, cellular telephone, text messaging device and personal digital assistant. Punishment is up to the School Board. http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bills/bills_124th/billpdfs/SP035501.pdf Criminal electronic harassment (not expressly for electronic behaviors): http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/statutes/17-A/title17-Asec506-A.html

Suggested Citation:

Hinduja, S. & Patchin, J. W. (INSERT YEAR OF LAW YOU ARE CITING HERE). Bullying and Cyberbullying Laws - Maine. Cyberbullying Research Center. (Retrieved October 8, 2024). https://cyberbullying.org/bullying-laws/maine