A plain-English guide to Massachusetts’s bullying and cyberbullying law, written for school counselors and other school staff. Start with the summary, then open any section below for the legal details.
Bottom line for counselors: Massachusetts requires every school district to have a written bullying policy. The law covers cyberbullying, including off-campus behavior that affects school. Follow your district's reporting and investigation steps and keep careful notes.
Massachusetts's bullying law includes 14 of 14 key elements, which Lantern rates comprehensive. Cyberbullying can also be a crime under Massachusetts law. State law lets schools discipline students for cyberbullying. There is no statewide school phone rule.
Sources last checked: StopBullying.gov summary reviewed April 29, 2026 · school phone rules checked November 11, 2026.
Lantern · State profile
Comprehensive state protections · 14 of 14 key elements
- Covers cyberbullying Yes
- Reaches off-campus behavior Yes
- District policy required Yes
- Reporting & investigation rules Yes
- Staff training Yes
- Support for students involved Yes
- School phone rules No statewide rule
- Online safety laws for minors None listed
What this means for counselors
- Your district is required to have a written bullying policy. Find it, and learn who in your building receives reports.
- State law sets expectations for reporting and investigating bullying. Follow your district's steps and timelines, and keep careful notes.
- Cyberbullying that happens off campus can be addressed when it affects school. Record how the online behavior reached or disrupted school.
- The law calls for support for students who are involved. That is core counseling work, for the student targeted and for the student who bullied.
- Staff training is part of state law. Ask when training happens and make sure it covers cyberbullying and social media.
- Prevention education is expected. Classroom lessons on digital citizenship and online empathy fit here.
- The law names protected groups. Bullying based on these characteristics may also be a civil rights issue for your school.
What Massachusetts’s bullying law includes
- Bans bullying outright: included
The law clearly states that bullying is not allowed. - Defines bullying: included
The law spells out what counts as bullying. - Says where the rules apply: included
The law describes where the rules apply, such as school grounds, buses, events, or online. - Names protected groups: included
The law lists characteristics, such as race or disability, that bullying often targets. - Districts must have a policy: included
Every school district has to adopt a written bullying policy. - Reporting and investigation rules: included
The law sets out how bullying is reported and investigated. - Consequences for bullying: included
The law describes consequences for students who bully. - Policy shared with families: included
Districts have to tell students, staff, and families about the policy. - Support for students involved: included
The law calls for protection or support, such as counseling, for students who are involved. - Policies reviewed and updated: included
District policies have to be reviewed and kept up to date. - Prevention education: included
The law requires or encourages bullying prevention lessons or programs. - Staff training: included
The law requires or encourages training for teachers and other staff. - Parent involvement: included
The law involves parents in preventing or responding to bullying.
Questions and answers about the law
How are bullying and cyberbullying defined in Massachusetts anti-bullying laws and regulations?
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:
(a) causes physical or emotional harm to the target or damage to the target's property;
(b) places the target in reasonable fear of harm to himself or herself or damage to his or her property;
(c) creates a hostile environment at school for the target;
(d) infringes on the rights of the target at school; or
(e) materially and substantially disrupts the education process or the orderly operation of a school. Bullying shall include cyberbullying.
“Cyberbullying” means bullying through the use of technology or any electronic communication, which shall include, but not be limited to, any transfer of signs, signals, writing, images, sounds, data or intelligence of any nature transmitted in whole or in part by a wire, radio, electromagnetic, photo electronic or photo optical system, including, but not limited to, electronic mail, internet communications, instant messages or facsimile communications. Cyberbullying shall also include:
(a) the creation of a web page or blog in which the creator assumes the identity of another person; or
(b) the knowing impersonation of another person as the author of posted content or messages, if the creation or impersonation creates any of the conditions in bullying(a) through (e).
“Cyberbullying” shall also include the distribution by electronic means of a communication to more than one person or the posting of material on an electronic medium that may be accessed by one or more persons, if the distribution or posting creates any of the conditions in bullying(a) through (e).
Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 71, § 37O (2014)
Do Massachusetts anti-bullying laws and regulations cover cyberbullying that occurs off-campus?
Yes. Massachusetts anti-bullying laws cover off-campus conduct that occurs at a location, activity, function, or program that is not school-related or through the use of technology or an electronic device that is not owned, leased, or used by a school district or school if the bullying:
(a) creates a hostile environment at school for the target;
(b) infringes on the rights of the target at school; or
(c) materially and substantially disrupts the education process or the orderly operation of a school.
What are the policy requirements for schools to prevent and respond to bullying behavior?
Massachusetts school districts are required to develop a plan addressing bullying prevention and intervention. District plans must contain key policy and procedural elements, including, but not limited to:
- Statements prohibiting bullying, cyberbullying, and retaliation;
- Procedures for reporting and investigations, including procedures for collecting, maintaining, and reporting bullying incident data;
- Statements of consequences for violation of the policy;
- Procedures for restoring sense of safety for a victim and assessing needs for protection;
- Strategies for providing counseling or referral for perpetrators and victims; and
- Requirements for how the policy will be publicized within the district.
Massachusetts state law requires that districts review and update the plan at least biennially.
Do Massachusetts anti-bullying laws and regulations include protections for specific groups?
Yes. Massachusetts anti-bullying laws require that each bullying prevention and intervention plan recognize that certain students may be more vulnerable to becoming a target of bullying or harassment based on actual or perceived differentiating characteristics (see MGL c. 71, § 37O (d)(3)).
Massachusetts schools that receive federal funding are required by federal law to address discrimination based on certain personal characteristics. Find out when bullying may be a civil rights violation.
Do Massachusetts anti-bullying laws and regulations encourage or require districts to implement bullying prevention programs or strategies?
Yes. Massachusetts school districts must provide age-appropriate, evidence-based instruction on bullying prevention in each grade that is incorporated into the curriculum.
Do Massachusetts anti-bullying laws and regulations encourage or require districts to train teachers and other school staff on how to respond to bullying incidents?
Yes. Massachusetts school districts’ bullying prevention and intervention plans must include a provision for ongoing professional development to build the skills of all staff members to prevent, identify, and respond to bullying.
Do Massachusetts anti-bullying laws and regulations encourage or require districts to provide safeguards or mental health supports for students involved with bullying?
Yes. Massachusetts school districts’ bullying prevention and intervention plans must include clear procedures for restoring a sense of safety for a victim and assessing that victim’s needs for protection. Each bullying prevention and intervention plan must also include a strategy for providing counseling and referral to appropriate services to perpetrators and victims and their family members.
Do Massachusetts anti-bullying laws and regulations involve parents in efforts to address bullying behavior?
Yes. Massachusetts school districts are required to develop a plan to address bullying prevention and intervention in consultation with teachers, school staff, professional support personnel, school volunteers, administrators, community representatives, local law enforcement agencies, students, parents, and guardians. The district plan must include procedures for notifying the parents or guardians of the victim and the perpetrator. The plan must also include provisions for informing parents and guardians about the school’s bullying prevention curriculum.
Answers from StopBullying.gov, last reviewed April 29, 2026.
School phone and device rules
No statewide law or policy on student phone use is listed for Massachusetts. Districts may still set their own rules.
Source: Ballotpedia, checked November 11, 2026.
Online safety and social media laws for minors
No state online safety laws for minors are listed for Massachusetts in the tracker we use. Federal laws, such as COPPA and the TAKE IT DOWN Act, still apply everywhere.
Source: Orrick Online Safety Law Tracker.
Legal citations, explained (27)
Each entry shows what the law or rule is about first, then its official name with abbreviations spelled out.
- Commission on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning youth; membership; terms; powers and duties Law passed by the legislature Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 3, Section 67 Read the text of Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 3, Section 67
- In-service training program; School resource officers Law passed by the legislature Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 6, Section 116H Read the text of Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 6, Section 116H
- Statewide educational goals; academic standards; vocational training; grant program Law passed by the legislature Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 69, Section 1D Read the text of Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 69, Section 1D
- Truancy prevention program certification process Law passed by the legislature Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 69, Section 1O Read the text of Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 69, Section 1O
- Policies relative to conduct of teachers or students; student handbooks Law passed by the legislature Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 71, Section 37H Read the text of Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 71, Section 37H
- School bullying prohibited; bullying prevention and intervention plans; reporting of bullying incident date Law passed by the legislature Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 71, Section 37O Read the text of Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 71, Section 37O
- Policy regarding internet safety measures for schools providing computer access to students Law passed by the legislature Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 71, Section 93 Read the text of Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 71, Section 93
- Stalking; punishment Law passed by the legislature Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 265, Section 43 Read the text of Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 265, Section 43
- Criminal harassment; punishment Law passed by the legislature Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 265, Section 43A Read the text of Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 265, Section 43A
- Annoying telephone calls or electronic communication Law passed by the legislature Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 269, Section 14A Read the text of Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 269, Section 14A
- Hazing; organizing or participating; hazing defined Law passed by the legislature Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 269, Section 17 Read the text of Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 269, Section 17
- Failure to report hazing Law passed by the legislature Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 269, Section 18 Read the text of Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 269, Section 18
- Copy of Secs. 17 to 19; issuance to students and student groups, teams and organizations; report Law passed by the legislature Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 269, Section 19 Read the text of Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 269, Section 19
- Active efforts Rule from a state agency 603 Massachusetts Code of Regulations 26.07 Read the text of 603 Massachusetts Code of Regulations 26.07
- Notification and complaint procedure Rule from a state agency 603 Massachusetts Code of Regulations 26.08 Read the text of 603 Massachusetts Code of Regulations 26.08
- Authority Rule from a state agency 603 Massachusetts Code of Regulations 33.01 Read the text of 603 Massachusetts Code of Regulations 33.01
- Scope and purpose Rule from a state agency 603 Massachusetts Code of Regulations 33.02 Read the text of 603 Massachusetts Code of Regulations 33.02
- Definitions Rule from a state agency 603 Massachusetts Code of Regulations 33.03 Read the text of 603 Massachusetts Code of Regulations 33.03
- Filing of reports Rule from a state agency 603 Massachusetts Code of Regulations 33.04 Read the text of 603 Massachusetts Code of Regulations 33.04
- Notifying the Attorney General Rule from a state agency 603 Massachusetts Code of Regulations 33.05 Read the text of 603 Massachusetts Code of Regulations 33.05
- Authority Rule from a state agency 603 Massachusetts Code of Regulations 49.01 Read the text of 603 Massachusetts Code of Regulations 49.01
- Scope and purpose Rule from a state agency 603 Massachusetts Code of Regulations 49.02 Read the text of 603 Massachusetts Code of Regulations 49.02
- Definitions and terms Rule from a state agency 603 Massachusetts Code of Regulations 49.03 Read the text of 603 Massachusetts Code of Regulations 49.03
- Bullying and retaliation prohibited Rule from a state agency 603 Massachusetts Code of Regulations 49.04 Read the text of 603 Massachusetts Code of Regulations 49.04
- Notice to parents Rule from a state agency 603 Massachusetts Code of Regulations 49.05 Read the text of 603 Massachusetts Code of Regulations 49.05
- Notice to law enforcement agency Rule from a state agency 603 Massachusetts Code of Regulations 49.06 Read the text of 603 Massachusetts Code of Regulations 49.06
- Confidentiality of records Rule from a state agency 603 Massachusetts Code of Regulations 49.07 Read the text of 603 Massachusetts Code of Regulations 49.07
Educational information, not legal advice. Laws change, so confirm with your district and state education department.
Find a school district in Massachusetts
Search by ZIP code, select a district on the map, or look one up by name. Each district links to a search for its own bullying policy, since district rules can go further than state law.
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