A plain-English guide to Nevada’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: Nevada requires every school district to have a written bullying policy. The law covers cyberbullying but does not clearly reach off-campus behavior. Follow your district's reporting and investigation steps and keep careful notes.
Nevada's bullying law includes 12 of 14 key elements, which Lantern rates strong. Cyberbullying can also be a crime under Nevada law. School phones: statewide ban (SB 444, May 28, 2025).
Sources last checked: StopBullying.gov summary reviewed May 1, 2026 · school phone rules checked November 11, 2026.
Lantern · State profile
Strong state protections · 12 of 14 key elements
- Covers cyberbullying Yes
- Reaches off-campus behavior No
- District policy required Yes
- Reporting & investigation rules Yes
- Staff training Yes
- Support for students involved Yes
- School phone rules Statewide phone restriction
- 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.
- State law does not clearly extend to off-campus cyberbullying. Your district policy may still apply, so check it and talk with your administrator.
- 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.
- Your state limits student phone use at school. Know your school's phone rules so responses to online incidents are consistent.
What Nevada’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: not 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
Do Nevada anti-bullying laws and regulations cover cyberbullying that occurs off-campus?
No. Nevada anti-bullying laws do not cover off-campus conduct.
What are the policy requirements for schools to prevent and respond to bullying behavior?
Nevada anti-bullying laws direct the Department of Education to prescribe a policy for all school districts and schools to provide for a safe and respectful learning environment that is free from bullying and cyberbullying. As described in Nevada Administrative Code § 388.121 – 388.1395, school district policies must contain key policy and procedural elements, including, but not limited to:
- Procedures for reporting and investigations;
- Requirements for parent notification of pupils directly involved in report incidents;
- Requirements to follow-up with a reported victim of bullying to inquire about the well-being of the victim and to ensure that the bullying is not continuing;
- Requirements to provide parents or guardians of students involved in bullying incidents with lists of resources that may be available in the community to assist the pupil;
- Processes for appealing disciplinary decisions;
- Statements informing students of the right to request reassignment to a different school in the district; and
- Methods for addressing rights and needs of persons with diverse gender identities or expressions; and
- Provisions to train members of the governing body and all administrators, teachers and all personnel.
Nevada anti-bullying laws encourage districts to review policies on an annual basis, to update policies if necessary, and to submit a copy of the updated policies to the Department.
Nevada anti-bullying laws also establish an Office for a Safe and Respectful Learning Environment and create the 24-hour, toll-free statewide Safe-to-Tell hotline and internet website for anonymous reports.
Do Nevada anti-bullying laws and regulations include protections for specific groups?
Yes. Nevada anti-bullying laws prohibit bullying acts, discrimination, or conduct that is based on actual or perceived characteristics (see NRS 388.122 (2)(a)).
Nevada schools that receive federal funding are required by federal law to address discrimination based on certain characteristics. Find out when bullying may be a civil rights violation.
Do Nevada anti-bullying laws and regulations encourage or require districts to implement bullying prevention programs or strategies?
Yes. Nevada anti-bullying laws establish a state bullying prevention fund to provide grants to school districts to establish prevention and training programs and to develop and implement procedures to address bullying. Nevada school districts are also encouraged to establish programs to create a school environment that is free from bullying and cyberbullying and schools are encouraged to establish school safety teams to develop, foster, and maintain a school environment which is free from bullying and cyberbullying.
Nevada anti-bullying laws also establish the first week in October as the “Week of Respect” for governing bodies to provide instruction to students on ways to prevent bullying and cyberbullying.
Do Nevada anti-bullying laws and regulations encourage or require districts to train teachers and other school staff on how to respond to bullying incidents?
Yes. Nevada anti-bullying laws direct the Department of Education to prescribe a policy for school districts and schools to train members of the governing body and all administrators, teachers, and all other personnel employed by the governing body on methods to prevent, identify, and report incidents of bullying and cyberbullying. Staff training programs must also address the needs of persons with diverse gender identities or expressions and the needs of pupils with disabilities and autism spectrum disorder, as described in Nevada Administrative Code § 388.880.
Do Nevada anti-bullying laws and regulations encourage or require districts to provide safeguards or mental health supports for students involved with bullying?
Yes. Nevada anti-bullying laws require districts to take necessary action to stop bullying or cyberbullying and ensure the safety and wellbeing of the reported victim or victims. School district policies must include a list of any resources available at no charge or at a reduced cost in the community to assist a student to each parent or guardian of a student. If such list is provided, the principal, his or her designee, or any employee of the school or the school district is not responsible for providing such resources to the student or ensuring the student receives such resources.
Do Nevada anti-bullying laws and regulations involve parents in efforts to address bullying behavior?
Yes. Nevada school districts are encouraged to establish a school safety team that consists of at least one parent or legal guardian of a student enrolled in the school. The role of the school safety team is to identify and address patterns of bullying or cyberbullying; review and strengthen school policies to prevent and address bullying or cyberbullying; provide information to school personnel, pupils, and parents on methods to address behavior; and participate in training conducted by the school district regarding bullying and cyberbullying. Nevada anti-bullying laws also require districts to notify parents or guardians of students involved with bullying as a component of an investigation.
Answers from StopBullying.gov, last reviewed May 1, 2026.
School phone and device rules
Statewide ban. Most recent statewide action: SB 444, May 28, 2025.
Source: Ballotpedia, checked November 11, 2026.
Online safety and social media laws for minors
No state online safety laws for minors are listed for Nevada 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 (42)
Each entry shows what the law or rule is about first, then its official name with abbreviations spelled out.
- Department of juvenile services to provide certain information to juvenile court and school district concerning child who engaged in bullying or cyber-bullying Law passed by the legislature Nevada Revised Statutes Annotated Section 62C.400 Read the text of Nevada Revised Statutes Annotated Section 62C.400
- Court to provide certain information to school district concerning certain offenses Law passed by the legislature Nevada Revised Statutes Annotated Section 62E.030 Read the text of Nevada Revised Statutes Annotated Section 62E.030
- Week of Respect Law passed by the legislature Nevada Revised Statutes Annotated Section 236.073 Read the text of Nevada Revised Statutes Annotated Section 236.073
- Discipline of pupils Law passed by the legislature Nevada Revised Statutes Annotated Section 385A.250 Read the text of Nevada Revised Statutes Annotated Section 385A.250
- Discipline of pupils Law passed by the legislature Nevada Revised Statutes Annotated Section 385A.460 Read the text of Nevada Revised Statutes Annotated Section 385A.460
- Rights of pupils to constitutional expression; limitations; adoption of policy for pupil publication; resolution of complaint by pupil of violation of right Law passed by the legislature Nevada Revised Statutes Annotated Section 388.077 Read the text of Nevada Revised Statutes Annotated Section 388.077
- Definitions Law passed by the legislature Nevada Revised Statutes Annotated Section 388.121 Read the text of Nevada Revised Statutes Annotated Section 388.121
- “Bullying” defined Law passed by the legislature Nevada Revised Statutes Annotated Section 388.122 Read the text of Nevada Revised Statutes Annotated Section 388.122
- “Cyber-bullying” defined Law passed by the legislature Nevada Revised Statutes Annotated Section 388.123 Read the text of Nevada Revised Statutes Annotated Section 388.123
- “Discrimination based on race” defined Law passed by the legislature Nevada Revised Statutes Annotated Section 388.1235 Read the text of Nevada Revised Statutes Annotated Section 388.1235
- “Electronic communication” defined Law passed by the legislature Nevada Revised Statutes Annotated Section 388.124 Read the text of Nevada Revised Statutes Annotated Section 388.124
- Legislative declaration concerning safe and respectful learning environment Law passed by the legislature Nevada Revised Statutes Annotated Section 388.132 Read the text of Nevada Revised Statutes Annotated Section 388.132
- Legislative declaration concerning duty of governing body, administrators and teachers to create and provide safe and respectful learning environment; authority of parent or guardian of pupil to petition court to compel performance of duty; remedy not exclusive Law passed by the legislature Nevada Revised Statutes Annotated Section 388.1321 Read the text of Nevada Revised Statutes Annotated Section 388.1321
- Office for a Safe and Respectful Learning Environment: Creation; appointment and duties of Director Law passed by the legislature Nevada Revised Statutes Annotated Section 388.1323 Read the text of Nevada Revised Statutes Annotated Section 388.1323
- Committee on statewide school safety; membership; duties Law passed by the legislature Nevada Revised Statutes Annotated Section 388.1324 Read the text of Nevada Revised Statutes Annotated Section 388.1324
- Regulations Law passed by the legislature Nevada Revised Statutes Annotated Section 388.1327 Read the text of Nevada Revised Statutes Annotated Section 388.1327
- Policy by Department concerning safe and respectful learning environment Law passed by the legislature Nevada Revised Statutes Annotated Section 388.133 Read the text of Nevada Revised Statutes Annotated Section 388.133
- Development of restorative practices for victims and perpetrators of discrimination based on race Law passed by the legislature Nevada Revised Statutes Annotated Section 388.1337 Read the text of Nevada Revised Statutes Annotated Section 388.1337
- Policy by governing bodies for provision of safe and respectful learning environment and policy for ethical, safe and secure use of computers; provision of training to governing bodies and school personnel; posting of policies on Internet website; annual review and update of policies Law passed by the legislature Nevada Revised Statutes Annotated Section 388.134 Read the text of Nevada Revised Statutes Annotated Section 388.134
- Development of informational pamphlet by Department; annual review and update; posting on Internet website; development of tutorial Law passed by the legislature Nevada Revised Statute Annotated Section 388.1341 Read the text of Nevada Revised Statute Annotated Section 388.1341
- Establishment of programs of training by Department; completion of program by members of State Board of Education and governing bodies; completion of certain programs by school district and school personnel; annual review and update of programs of training Law passed by the legislature Nevada Revised Statutes Annotated Section 388.1342 Read the text of Nevada Revised Statutes Annotated Section 388.1342
- Establishment by administrator of each school; duties of administrator Law passed by the legislature Nevada Revised Statutes Annotated Section 388.1343 Read the text of Nevada Revised Statutes Annotated Section 388.1343
- Membership; chair; duties Law passed by the legislature Nevada Revised Statutes Annotated Section 388.1344 Read the text of Nevada Revised Statutes Annotated Section 388.1344
- Bullying and cyber-bullying prohibited Law passed by the legislature Nevada Revised Statutes Annotated Section 388.135 Read the text of Nevada Revised Statutes Annotated Section 388.135
- Reporting and categorization of incident of discrimination based on race Law passed by the legislature Nevada Revised Statutes Annotated Section 388.13505 Read the text of Nevada Revised Statutes Annotated Section 388.13505
- Staff member required to report violation to administrator; required actions and investigation; notification to parent or guardian; written report of findings and conclusions of investigation; follow-up with victim; list of resources to be provided to parent or guardian; appeal of disciplinary action; reassignment of pupil who is victim of bullying or cyber-bullying; reports Law passed by the legislature Nevada Revised Statutes Annotated Section 388.1351 Read the text of Nevada Revised Statutes Annotated Section 388.1351
- Establishment of policy by governing body for employees to report violations to law enforcement Law passed by the legislature Nevada Revised Statutes Annotated Section 388.1352 Read the text of Nevada Revised Statutes Annotated Section 388.1352
- Deferral of required investigation of bullying or cyber-bullying; actions by administrator or designee if investigation is deferred; exemption from certain requirements if violation committed by certain pupils Law passed by the legislature Nevada Revised Statutes Annotated Section 388.13535 Read the text of Nevada Revised Statutes Annotated Section 388.13535
- Disciplinary action against administrator or designee who fails to comply with certain provisions Law passed by the legislature Nevada Revised Statutes Annotated Section 388.1354 Read the text of Nevada Revised Statutes Annotated Section 388.1354
- School officials prohibited from interfering with disclosure of violations Law passed by the legislature Nevada Revised Statutes Annotated Section 388.136 Read the text of Nevada Revised Statutes Annotated Section 388.136
- Immunity for reporting of violations; exceptions; recommendation for disciplinary action if person who made report acted with malice, intentional misconduct, gross negligence or violation of law Law passed by the legislature Nevada Revised Statutes Annotated Section 388.137 Read the text of Nevada Revised Statutes Annotated Section 388.137
- Text of certain provisions required to be included in rules of behavior Law passed by the legislature Nevada Revised Statutes Annotated Section 388.139 Read the text of Nevada Revised Statutes Annotated Section 388.139
- Requirements for delivery of information during annual “Week of Respect” Law passed by the legislature Nevada Revised Statutes Annotated Section 388.1395 Read the text of Nevada Revised Statutes Annotated Section 388.1395
- Threatening to cause bodily harm or death to pupil or school employee by means of oral, written or electronic communication; penalties Law passed by the legislature Nevada Revised Statutes Annotated Section 392.915 Read the text of Nevada Revised Statutes Annotated Section 392.915
- Reporting of information regarding bullying or cyber-bullying by pupils; actions of principal or designee when ensuring safety and well-being of reported victim Rule from a state agency Nevada Administrative Code Section 388.890 Read the text of Nevada Administrative Code Section 388.890
- Notification to parent or guardian of pupils; maintenance of record regarding notification Rule from a state agency Nevada Administrative Code Section 388.895 Read the text of Nevada Administrative Code Section 388.895
- Requirements of investigation of report; documentation of interviews conducted as part of investigation Rule from a state agency Nevada Administrative Code Section 388.900 Read the text of Nevada Administrative Code Section 388.900
- Requirements of written report if violation found to have occurred; principal or designee to develop and carry out plan to support well-being of victim and aggressor; follow-up with victim and aggressor Rule from a state agency Nevada Administrative Code Section 388.905 Read the text of Nevada Administrative Code Section 388.905
- Requires actions by principal upon completion of written report of investigation; adoption of policy by school district that prescribes procedures to appeal outcomes of investigation Rule from a state agency Nevada Administrative Code Section 388.910 Read the text of Nevada Administrative Code Section 388.910
- Complaint concerning outcome of appeal or violation of provisions of law; preliminary report concerning whether to conduct further investigation; final report when further investigation is conducted; Department authorized to request school district to prepare plan of corrective actions; employee subject to disciplinary action prohibited from administrative appeal of such action Rule from a state agency Nevada Administrative Code Section 388.915 Read the text of Nevada Administrative Code Section 388.915
- Annual report of accountability to exclude personally identifiable information of pupil involved in reported violation; certain persons not to interfere with reporting of statistics concerning violations Rule from a state agency Nevada Administrative Code Section 388.920 Read the text of Nevada Administrative Code Section 388.920
- Fifth grade: Technology and computers Rule from a state agency Nevada Administrative Code Section 389.2948 Read the text of Nevada Administrative Code Section 389.2948
Official Nevada resources
Educational information, not legal advice. Laws change, so confirm with your district and state education department.
Find a school district in Nevada
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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