Index
Education / Anti-BullyingCalifornia

Seth's Law (AB 9)

Summary

Strengthens existing anti-bullying laws by requiring CA public schools to update their anti-bullying policies and programs to specifically protect students who are bullied based on actual or perceived characteristics like sexual orientation or gender identity.

Rights & Rules

  • 01.
    Right to have bullying complaints investigated by the school within 60 days.
  • 02.
    Right to protection from cyberbullying that targets protected characteristics.
  • 03.
    Right to access a transparent appeal process if the school does not address the bullying.

Penalties

  • 01.
    Loss of state funding for non-compliant school districts.
  • 02.
    Mandatory revision of school district anti-bullying policies.
  • 03.
    Potential civil liability for schools that fail to protect students.

Verified Citations

California Education Code Section 234.1

Source
"The department shall monitor adherence to the requirements... including the adoption of a process for receiving and investigating complaints of discrimination, harassment, intimidation, and bullying."