LRB-2182/1
PG&CMH:eev:rs
2013 - 2014 LEGISLATURE
May 16, 2013 - Introduced by Senators T. Cullen, Risser, L. Taylor, Lassa,
Erpenbach, Lehman, Kedzie and Carpenter, cosponsored by Representatives
Kahl, Berceau, Pope, Schraa, Bies, Hesselbein, Bewley, C. Taylor and
Ohnstad. Referred to Committee on Education.
SB184,1,4 1An Act to amend 118.46 (1) (intro.), 118.46 (1) (a) 1., 118.46 (2), 947.0125 (2) (a)
2and 947.0125 (3) (a); and to create 118.46 (1) (a) 11. and 12. of the statutes;
3relating to: school bullying, unlawful use of computer systems, and providing
4a penalty.
Analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau
Current law requires the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) to develop a
model school policy on bullying by pupils and requires each school board to adopt a
policy prohibiting bullying. A school board may adopt DPI's model policy. The model
policy must include certain elements. For example, it must define bullying; identify
the property owned, leased, or used by the school district on which the policy applies;
and require that school district officials and employees report incidents of bullying.
This bill requires that the definition of bullying in DPI's model policy include
bullying by electronic means. The bill also requires that the model policy include a
requirement that a school district official who has reasonable cause to suspect that
a bullying incident is a violation of a criminal law report the incident to a law
enforcement agency. Finally, the bill requires the model policy to include appropriate
responses to bullying that occurs off school grounds in certain circumstances.
Current law prohibits a person from sending an e-mail message to another
person if that message threatens to harm any person or property and if the sender
intends to frighten, intimidate, threaten, abuse, or harass any person. A person who
violates the prohibition is guilty of a Class B misdemeanor and is subject to a
maximum fine of $1,000 or imprisonment of not more than 90 days, or both. This bill

prohibits a person from posting an electronic message where others can view it if that
message threatens to harm any person or property and if the person who posts it
intends to frighten, intimidate, threaten, abuse, or harass another person. A person
who violates this new prohibition is guilty of a Class B misdemeanor.
Current law also prohibits a person from sending an e-mail message to another
person if that message uses any obscene, lewd, or profane language or suggests any
lewd or lascivious act and if the sender intends to harass, annoy, or offend another
person. A person who violates the prohibition is subject to a forfeiture of up to $1,000.
This bill prohibits a person from posting an electronic message where others can view
it if that message uses any obscene, lewd, or profane language or suggests any lewd
or lascivious act and if the sender intends to harass, annoy, or offend another person.
A person who violates this new prohibition is subject to a forfeiture of up to $1,000.
Because this bill creates a new crime or revises a penalty for an existing crime,
the Joint Review Committee on Criminal Penalties may be requested to prepare a
report concerning the proposed penalty and the costs or savings that are likely to
result if the bill is enacted.
The people of the state of Wisconsin, represented in senate and assembly, do
enact as follows:
SB184,1 1Section 1. 118.46 (1) (intro.) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB184,2,32 118.46 (1) (intro.) By March 1, 2010, the The department shall do all of the
3following:
SB184,2 4Section 2. 118.46 (1) (a) 1. of the statutes is amended to read:
SB184,2,65 118.46 (1) (a) 1. A definition of bullying that includes bullying by electronic
6means
.
SB184,3 7Section 3. 118.46 (1) (a) 11. and 12. of the statutes are created to read:
SB184,2,138 118.46 (1) (a) 11. A statement that a school board may prohibit bullying, and
9reasonably discipline pupils who engage in bullying, that does not occur at a
10school-related event under subd. 8., on property described in subd. 9., or in a vehicle
11under subd. 10., if the bullying creates a hostile environment at school for the pupil
12bullied or substantially disrupts the orderly operation of a school or school-related
13event.
SB184,3,3
112. A requirement that a school district official or employee who has reasonable
2cause to suspect that a bullying incident is a violation of a criminal law, report the
3incident to a law enforcement agency.
SB184,4 4Section 4. 118.46 (2) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB184,3,95 118.46 (2) By August 15, 2010, each Each school board shall adopt a policy
6prohibiting bullying by pupils. The school board may adopt the model policy under
7sub. (1) (a). The school board shall provide a copy of the policy to any person who
8requests it. Annually, the school board shall distribute the policy to all pupils
9enrolled in the school district and to their parents or guardians.
SB184,5 10Section 5. 947.0125 (2) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB184,3,1511 947.0125 (2) (a) With intent to frighten, intimidate, threaten, abuse, or harass
12another person, sends a message to the person on an electronic mail or other
13computerized communication system or posts a message electronically where other
14persons can view the message
and in that sent or posted message threatens to inflict
15injury or physical harm to any person or the property of any person.
SB184,6 16Section 6. 947.0125 (3) (a) of the statutes is amended to read:
SB184,3,2117 947.0125 (3) (a) With intent to harass, annoy, or offend another person, sends
18a message to the person on an electronic mail or other computerized communication
19system or posts a message electronically where other persons can view the message
20and in that sent or posted message uses any obscene, lewd, or profane language or
21suggests any lewd or lascivious act.
SB184,3,2222 (End)
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