79R4408 BDH-D

By:  Leibowitz                                                    H.B. No. 1818



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the creation of an anti-bullying hotline.                         
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Subchapter B, Chapter 402, Government Code, is 
amended by adding Section 402.032 to read as follows:
	Sec. 402.032.  ANTI-BULLYING HOTLINE.  (a)  From funds 
appropriated for the purpose or available under Section 402.005, 
the attorney general shall develop and operate an anti-bullying 
hotline as provided by this section.
	(b)  The anti-bullying hotline must enable a primary or 
secondary school student to report an incident of bullying by:
		(1)  calling a toll-free telephone number; or                          
		(2)  using an Internet website.                                        
	(c)  To the extent the attorney general considers 
appropriate, an Internet website maintained under this section may 
include information regarding prevention of and education 
concerning unwanted physical or verbal aggression, sexual 
harassment, and other forms of bullying in school, on school 
grounds, in school vehicles, at school bus stops, and at 
school-sponsored or school-related activities.
	(d)  The attorney general shall monitor reports of bullying 
submitted under this section and forward the reports to:
		(1)  the principal of the primary or secondary school 
in which the person accused of bullying is enrolled; or
		(2)  if the person accused of bullying is not enrolled 
in a primary or secondary school, the local police department or 
sheriff's office with jurisdiction over the matter.
	SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2005.