What is HIB?

“Harassment, intimidation or bullying” is defined as any gesture, any written, verbal or physical act, or any electronic communication, whether it be a single incident or a series of incidents, that is reasonably perceived as being motivated either by any actual or perceived characteristic, such as race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or a mental, physical or sensory disability, or by any other distinguishing characteristic, that takes place on school grounds, at any school-sponsored function or on a school bus, or off school grounds in accordance with law, that substantially disrupts or interferes with the orderly operation of the school or the rights of other students and that: 

1. A reasonable person should know, under the circumstances, will have the effect of physically or mentally harming a student or damaging the student’s property, or placing a student in reasonable fear of physical or mental harm to his/her person or damage to his/her property; or 

2. Has the effect of insulting or demeaning any student or group of students; or 

3. Creates a hostile educational environment by interfering with the student’s education or by severely or pervasively causing physical or emotional harm to the student. 

 “Electronic communication” means a communication that is transmitted by means of an electronic device, including, but not limited to a telephone, cellular phone, computer, or pager, that takes place on school grounds, at any school-sponsored function or on a school bus, or is communicated or circulated during school by either the original student or other students.

The State of New Jersey Department of Education: Website