The Legislature declares that:

1. Pupils are the most vital resource to the future of this State;

2. A learning environment that is safe and respectful is essential for the pupils enrolled in the schools in this State and is necessary for those pupils to achieve academic success and meet this State’s high academic standards;

3. Every classroom, hallway, locker room, cafeteria, restroom, gymnasium, playground, athletic field, school bus, parking lot and other areas on the premises of a school in this State must be maintained as a safe and respectful learning environment, and no form of bullying or cyber-bullying will be tolerated within the system of public education in this State;

4. Any form of bullying or cyber-bullying seriously interferes with the ability of teachers to teach in the classroom and the ability of pupils to learn;

5. The use of the Internet by pupils in a manner that is ethical, safe and secure is essential to a safe and respectful learning environment and is essential for the successful use of technology;

6. It will ensure that:

(a) The schools in this State provide a safe and respectful learning environment in which persons of differing beliefs, races, colors, national origins, ancestries, religions, gender identities or expressions, sexual orientations, physical or mental disabilities, sexes or any other distinguishing characteristics or backgrounds can realize their full academic and personal potential;

(b) All administrators, teachers and other personnel of the school districts and schools in this State demonstrate appropriate and professional behavior on the premises of any school by treating other persons, including, without limitation, pupils, with civility and respect, by refusing to tolerate bullying and cyber-bullying, and by taking immediate action to protect a victim or target of bullying or cyber-bullying when witnessing, overhearing or being notified that bullying or cyber-bullying is occurring or has occurred;

(c) The quality of instruction is not negatively impacted by poor attitudes or interactions among administrators, teachers, coaches or other personnel of a school district or school;

(d) All persons in a school are entitled to maintain their own beliefs and to respectfully disagree without resorting to bullying, cyber-bullying or violence; and

(e) Any teacher, administrator, coach or other staff member or pupil who tolerates or engages in an act of bullying or cyber-bullying or violates a provision of NRS 388.121 to 388.1395, inclusive, regarding a response to bullying or cyber-bullying against a pupil will be held accountable; and

7. By declaring this mandate that the schools in this State provide a safe and respectful learning environment, the Legislature is not advocating or requiring the acceptance of differing beliefs in a manner that would inhibit the freedom of expression, but is requiring that pupils be free from physical, emotional or mental abuse while at school and that pupils be provided with an environment that allows them to learn.

(Added to NRS by 2001, 1929; A 2005, 705; 2009, 687; 2013, 1655; 2015, 412, 881; 2017, 4153)