{"data":{"id":"us-tn/tenn.-code-ann.-49-6-4502","jurisdiction":"us-tn","citation":"Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-6-4502","heading":"Part definitions","body":"As used in this part: (1) \"Cyber-bullying\" means bullying undertaken through the use of electronic devices; (2) \"Electronic devices\" include, but are not limited to, telephones, cellular phones or other wireless telecommunication devices, personal digital assistants (PDAs), computers, electronic mail, instant messaging, text messaging, and websites; (3) \"Harassment, intimidation or bullying\" means any act that substantially interferes with a student's educational benefits, opportunities or performance; and: (A) If the act takes place on school grounds, at any school-sponsored activity, on school-provided equipment or transportation or at any official school bus stop, the act has the effect of: (i) Physically harming a student or damaging a student's property; (ii) Knowingly placing a student or students in reasonable fear of physical harm to the student or damage to the student's property; (iii) Causing emotional distress to a student or students; or (iv) Creating a hostile educational environment; or (B) If the act takes place off school property or outside of a school-sponsored activity, it is directed specifically at a student or students and has the effect of creating a hostile educational environment or otherwise creating a substantial disruption to the education environment or learning process. Acts 2005, ch. 202, § 1; 2011, ch. 251, §§ 1, 3; T.C.A. § 49-6-4502 ; T.C.A. § 45-6-1015.\nAs used in this part:\n(1) \"Cyber-bullying\" means bullying undertaken through the use of electronic devices;\n(2) \"Electronic devices\" include, but are not limited to, telephones, cellular phones or other wireless telecommunication devices, personal digital assistants (PDAs), computers, electronic mail, instant messaging, text messaging, and websites;\n(3) \"Harassment, intimidation or bullying\" means any act that substantially interferes with a student's educational benefits, opportunities or performance; and: (A) If the act takes place on school grounds, at any school-sponsored activity, on school-provided equipment or transportation or at any official school bus stop, the act has the effect of: (i) Physically harming a student or damaging a student's property; (ii) Knowingly placing a student or students in reasonable fear of physical harm to the student or damage to the student's property; (iii) Causing emotional distress to a student or students; or (iv) Creating a hostile educational environment; or (B) If the act takes place off school property or outside of a school-sponsored activity, it is directed specifically at a student or students and has the effect of creating a hostile educational environment or otherwise creating a substantial disruption to the education environment or learning process.\n(A) If the act takes place on school grounds, at any school-sponsored activity, on school-provided equipment or transportation or at any official school bus stop, the act has the effect of: (i) Physically harming a student or damaging a student's property; (ii) Knowingly placing a student or students in reasonable fear of physical harm to the student or damage to the student's property; (iii) Causing emotional distress to a student or students; or (iv) Creating a hostile educational environment; or\n(i) Physically harming a student or damaging a student's property;\n(ii) Knowingly placing a student or students in reasonable fear of physical harm to the student or damage to the student's property;\n(iii) Causing emotional distress to a student or students; or\n(iv) Creating a hostile educational environment; or\n(B) If the act takes place off school property or outside of a school-sponsored activity, it is directed specifically at a student or students and has the effect of creating a hostile educational environment or otherwise creating a substantial disruption to the education environment or learning process.","path":["TN Code","Title 49","Chapter 6"],"source_url":"https://oss-data-us.vaquill.ai/v2026.08/us_tn_statutes.parquet","current_through":"2026-08-14","vintage":"open-us-law v2026.08, retrieved 2026-09-14","retrieved_at":"2026-09-14T18:32:26Z","sha256":"bbf5d3744c360f9f4da42eb93df2c16a56a6e7f43823efd924697b5780d5160d","source_id":"us-tn","stale":false,"prev":"us-tn/tenn.-code-ann.-49-6-4501","next":"us-tn/tenn.-code-ann.-49-6-4503"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}