Which Guam laws and regulations cover bullying?

9 GCA \u00a728.100. Illegal Use of a Computer or Telecommunications Device to Disseminate Prohibited Materials Involving a Minor- Sexting; Crime Defined and Punished
17 GCA \u00a73112.1. Same: Policy Against Bullying

How are bullying and cyberbullying defined in Guam anti-bullying laws and regulations?

Guam anti-bullying laws include the following definitions of harassment, intimidation, bullying and cyberbullying:

\u201cHarassment, intimidation, or bullying\u201d means any gesture or written, verbal, or physical act that a reasonable person under the circumstances should know will have the effect of harming a pupil or damaging his or her property or placing a pupil in reasonable fear of harm to his or her person or damage to his or her property, or that has the effect of insulting or demeaning any pupil or group of pupils in such a way as to disrupt or interfere with the school's educational mission or the education of any pupil.

\u201cHarassment, intimidation, or bullying\u201d includes, but is not limited to, such a gesture or written, verbal, or physical act that is reasonably perceived as being motivated by a pupil\u2019s religion, race, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability, height, weight, or socioeconomic status, or by any other distinguishing characteristic.

\u201cCyberbullying\u201d means the use of any electronic communication device to harass, intimidate or bully.

17 GCA \u00a7 3112.1 (2011)

Do Guam anti-bullying laws and regulations cover cyberbullying that occurs off-campus?

No. Guam anti-bullying laws do not cover off-campus conduct.

What are the policy requirements for schools to prevent and respond to bullying behavior?

Guam school districts must adopt a policy prohibiting \"harassment, intimidation, or bullying\" and \"cyberbullying\" at school. School district policies must contain key policy and procedural elements, including, but not limited to:

Statements prohibiting harassment, intimidation, or bullying and cyberbullying of a student;
Definitions of harassment, intimidation, or bullying and cyberbullying;
Descriptions of the type of behavior expected from each student;
Disciplinary consequences and appropriate remedial actions for any person who commits harassment, intimidation, or bullying and cyberbullying;
Procedures for reporting, investigation, and response to incidents;
Statements prohibiting reprisal and retaliation; and
Statements regarding how the policy is to be publicized within the district.

Do Guam anti-bullying laws and regulations include protections for specific groups?

Yes. Guam anti-bullying laws prohibit harassment, intimidation, or bullying that includes, but is not limited to, a gesture or written, verbal, or physical act that is reasonably perceived as being motivated by a pupil's religion, race, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability, height, weight, or socioeconomic status, or by any other distinguishing characteristic.

Guam schools that receive federal funding are required by federal law to address discrimination on a number of different personal characteristics. Find out when bullying may be a civil rights violation.

Do Guam anti-bullying laws and regulations encourage or require districts to implement bullying prevention programs or strategies?

Yes. Guam public schools are required to form bullying and cyberbullying prevention task forces and implement prevention, intervention, and remediation programs.

Do Guam anti-bullying laws and regulations encourage or require districts to train teachers and other school staff on how to respond to bullying incidents?

Yes. Guam anti-bullying laws require districts to train teachers and other school staff on how to respond to bullying incidents.

Do Guam anti-bullying laws and regulations encourage or require districts to provide safeguards or mental health supports for students involved with bullying?

No. Guam anti-bullying laws do not require districts to provide safeguards or mental health supports for students involved with bullying.

Do Guam anti-bullying laws and regulations involve parents in efforts to address bullying behavior?

Yes. Guam anti-bullying laws require school districts to adopt policies through a process that includes the representation of parents or guardians, pupils, teachers, staff, administrators, volunteers, and community representatives.

For More Information

Visit the Guam Department of Education \u201cBullying Prevention\u201d webpage and/or view the state model policy on bullying and harassment.

The key component framework used in the analysis of state laws is based on the review of legislation presented in the \u201cAnalysis of State Bullying Laws and Policies \u2013 December 2011\u201d (U.S. Department of Education).

Content last updated on June 21, 2017