The bill requires the state board of education to develop a model policy prohibiting bullying in schools, and it requires each county board to adopt its own policy by July 1, 2009 based on the model. Unlike some other cyber-bullying laws, Maryland's bill says even if the harassment takes place off school grounds, as long as it "substantially disrupts the orderly operation of a school," administrators can report the incident. The bill defines "bullying, harassment, or intimidation" as anything that is "threatening or seriously intimidating" and creates a hostile educational environment by interfering with a student's education, or their physical or psychological well-being. Unlawful bullying includes harassment "motivated by an actual or a perceived personal characteristic," such as race, sex, religion or disability. The prohibition against bullying covers "intentional conduct including verbal, physical, or written conduct, or an intentional electronic communication." State of Maryland:

Counties in Maryland As required by law, the twenty- four local school systems in Maryland used the model policy as a basis for developing their own policies. However, Maryland is one of eight states that does not mandate a state-wide policy.

Country In the United States, there's no federal law against cyber bullying yet. A bill introduced to the House of Representatives last year would make it against the law to "transmit in interstate or foreign commerce any communication, with the intent to coerce, intimidate, harass, or cause substantial emotional distress to a person, using electronic means to support severe, repeated, and hostile behavior." Anyone found guilty of this crime could face a fine or a prison term of up to two years. Several states have signed cyber bullying bills into law. States like Maryland, Arkansas, Florida, Kentucky and others have tried to define cyber bullying in a way that allows law enforcement officials to charge bullies with specific crimes. These laws also raise concerns with free speech advocates. So while cyber bullying isn't illegal on the federal level in the United States, it is illegal within specific states.

States with Cyber Bullying Laws 14 States =Yes Federal =proposed bill Washington DC =NO 6 States= Proposed 30 States= No

References berbully.pdf