David’s Law

Student safety is the top priority of the Pittsburg Independent School District, and ensuring a safe and secure learning environment requires joint efforts between students, parents, employees, as well as our public safety partners.

To keep students and parents informed, Pittsburg ISD is sharing the following information about Senate Bill 179 also known as  “David’s Law.”

Senate Bill 179, commonly known as “David’s Law”, makes it a Class A misdemeanor and allows a temporary injunction against social media accounts used to electronically harass or cyber-bully someone under age 18 through text message, social media, websites or other means with the intent of causing them to commit suicide or harm themselves.

Student safety both online and offline are District priorities. The consequences that result from the violation of “David’s Law” are serious and includes expanding the District’s scope of involvement when a case of cyber bullying is reported. Pittsburg ISD’s anti-discrimination policy is in the student code of conduct, and it explicitly prohibits cyber-bullying. We urge parents to continue to remind their child to be mindful of their online behavior and how it can affect themselves and others.

Authored by Texas Senators José Menéndez and Judith Zaffirini, the bill requires school districts to include cyber-bullying in their district bullying policies and notify parents if their child has been bullied and to notify the parents of the alleged aggressor within a reasonable amount of time.  Schools have the authority to investigate cyber-bullying and to work with law enforcement on such investigations.

If a student believes they are a victim of cyber-bullying they should report this to a teacher, administrator or other school personnel.

Students and parents can also go online to find the PISD Bullying Report Hotline.