Tennessee Code Title 49. Education § 49-6-4502 (see also Title 49. Education § 49-6-4503)
(a) As used in this part:
(1) “Cyber-bullying” means bullying undertaken through the use of electronic devices;
(2) “Electronic devices” include, but are not limited to, telephones, cellular phones or other wireless telecommunication devices, personal digital assistants (PDAs), computers, electronic mail, instant messaging, text messaging, and web sites;
(3) “
Harassment, intimidation or bullying” means any act that substantially interferes with a student’s educational benefits, opportunities or performance; and:
(A) If the act takes place on school grounds, at any school-sponsored activity, on school-provided equipment or transportation or at any official school bus stop, the act has the effect of:
(i) Physically harming a student or damaging a student’s property;
(ii) Knowingly placing a student or students in reasonable fear of physical harm to the student or damage to the student’s property;
(iii) Causing emotional distress to a student or students; or
(iv) Creating a hostile educational environment; or
(B) If the act takes place off school property or outside of a school-sponsored activity, it is directed specifically at a student or students and has the effect of creating a hostile educational environment or otherwise creating a substantial disruption to the education environment or learning process.
(
https://codes.findlaw.com/tn/title-49-education/tn-code-sect-49-6-4502.html) Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-6-1014 (2012) (
http://law.justia.com/codes/tennessee/2010/title-49/chapter-6/part-10/49-6-1014/) 49-6-1014. Legislative findings — Safety and civility. The general assembly finds and declares that: (1) A safe and civil environment is necessary for students to learn and achieve high academic standards; (2) Harassment, intimidation, bullying or cyber-bullying, like other disruptive or violent behavior, is conduct that disrupts a student’s ability to learn and a school’s ability to educate its students in a safe environment; (3) Students learn by example. School administrators, faculty, staff and volunteers who demonstrate appropriate behavior, treating others with civility and respect and refusing to tolerate harassment, intimidation, bullying or cyber-bullying, encourage others to do so as well; and (4) The use of telephones, cellular phones or other wireless telecommunication devices, personal digital assistants (PDAs), computers, electronic mail, instant messaging, text messaging, and web sites by students in a manner that is safe and secure is essential to a safe and civil learning environment and is necessary for students to successfully use technology. Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-6-1015 (2012) (
http://law.justia.com/codes/tennessee/2010/title-49/chapter-6/part-10/49-6-1015/) 49-6-1015. Definitions for §§ 49-6-1014 — 49-6-1019. TN Code § 49-6-4502 (2014) (a) As used in § 49-6-1014, this section and §§ 49-6-1016 — 49-6-1019: (1) “Cyber-bullying” means bullying undertaken through the use of electronic devices; (2) “Electronic devices” include, but are not limited to, telephones, cellular phones or other wireless telecommunication devices, personal digital assistants (PDAs), computers, electronic mail, instant messaging, text messaging, and web sites; (3) “Harassment, intimidation or bullying” means any act that substantially interferes with a student’s educational benefits, opportunities or performance; and: (A) If the act takes place on school grounds, at any school-sponsored activity, on school-provided equipment or transportation or at any official school bus stop, the act has the effect of: (i) Physically harming a student or damaging a student’s property; (ii) Knowingly placing a student or students in reasonable fear of physical harm to the student or damage to the student’s property; (iii) Causing emotional distress to a student or students; or (iv) Creating a hostile educational environment; or (B) If the act takes place off school property or outside of a school-sponsored activity, it is directed specifically at a student or students and has the effect of creating a hostile educational environment or otherwise creating a substantial disruption to the education environment or learning process.
http://law.justia.com/codes/tennessee/2014/title-49/chapter-6/part-45/section-49-6-4502 S.B.113; A misdemeanor (up to 1 year in prison and a $2,500 fine) for making threats made online as well as certain instances of cyberharassment.
http://law.justia.com/codes/tennessee/2010/title-39/chapter-17/part-3/39-17-308Suggested Citation:
Hinduja, S. & Patchin, J. W. (INSERT YEAR OF LAW YOU ARE CITING HERE). Bullying and Cyberbullying Laws - Tennessee. Cyberbullying Research Center. (Retrieved October 10, 2024).
https://cyberbullying.org/bullying-laws/tennessee
