Ohio Law & Policy on Bullying

The latest issue of Ohio Lawyer [KF200 .O195] features an article by Andrew Hartzell entitled “Fighting back – Bullying prevention under Ohio law.” Hartzell introduces the topic with an overview of the pending Ohio Supreme Court case Mentor Exempted Village School Dist. Bd. of Edn. V. Mohat – the ultimate decision in which will determine whether Ohio parents can sue a school district in the bullying-related death of a student.

Other pertinent law referenced in the article includes Ohio Revised Code §3313.666 [on LAWriter] that provides a legal definition of bullying. Cyberbullying is addressed in the Ohio Department of Education’s Model Anti-Harassment, Anti-Intimidation and Anti-Bullying Policy. Federal laws, such as the antidiscrimination provisions of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act or Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, may be implicated in bullying cases.

In order to raise awareness of cyber bullying and sexting, the Ohio State Bar Foundation has sponsored a B4U Send Video Challenge aimed at all Ohio 6, 7 & 8 grade students – see the flyer. The winning video entry will be professionally produced as a public service announcement and will be distributed to all Ohio schools in May.