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The Daily Insight

Does Massachusetts have anti-bullying laws?

Author

Matthew Wilson

Updated on March 03, 2026

The Massachusetts Anti-Bullying Law is new law (enacted May 3, 2010) designed to prevent bullying in schools. The law has two parts; one applies to all students and schools and one applies to students who are eligible for special education. Every district must have a bullying prevention and intervention plan.

How many states have introduced an anti-bullying bill?

50 states
If your child is being bullied at school, the first line of defense is your state’s anti-bullying law. All 50 states have anti-bullying laws. These laws often have the strongest protections for students.

What is Anti-Bullying Act of 2015?

Republic Act 10627, or the Anti-Bullying Act (the “Act”), aims to protect children enrolled in kindergarten, elementary, and secondary schools and learning centers (collectively, “Schools”) from being bullied. It requires Schools to adopt policies to address the existence of bullying in their respective institutions.

What is criminal harassment Massachusetts?

In Massachusetts, a criminal harassment charge may arise from a variety of circumstances. Generally, criminal harassment entails intentionally targeting someone else with behavior that is meant to alarm, annoy, torment or terrorize them. Not all petty annoyances constitute harassment.

Which state does not have anti-bullying laws?

Montana is the only state with no law to address bullying. READ: More stories in crime and justice. The criminal side of these laws is generating controversy in Florida.

Can you sue someone for emotional distress in Massachusetts?

Under Massachusetts law, a Negligent Infliction of Emotional Distress (NIED) claim is a civil claim in response to one party acting recklessly or negligently that results in significant mental or emotional injury to another party.

What are the anti-bullying laws in Massachusetts?

Massachusetts anti-bullying laws include the following definitions of bullying and cyberbullying: “Bullying”, means the repeated use by one or more students of a written, verbal or electronic expression or a physical act or gesture or any combination thereof, directed at a target that:

Where can I find resources on bullying in Massachusetts?

Bullying, Mass. Legal Services. Bullying, UCLA Center for Mental Health in Schools. An extensive list of links to resources on bullying for teachers, parents, law enforcement, and anyone else interested in the topic.

Can I sue a city for bullying in Massachusetts?

Even where a defendant city “could have and should have done more” to protect a student from bullying, and their inaction resulted in the child being severely injured during a bullying incident, the Mass. Tort Claims Act bars a suit against the city and its employees where they did not “originally cause” the situation. Doe by and through Doe v.

What does bullying mean in school?

“Bullying”, means the repeated use by one or more students of a written, verbal or electronic expression or a physical act or gesture or any combination thereof, directed at a target that: (a) causes physical or emotional harm to the target or damage to the target’s property;