New Options for Reporting Hate Biases Now Available

February 13th, 2025

The Howard County Public School System is committed to providing safe and inclusive learning environments for all students. When harmful incidents occur in schools, it is important that those incidents are appropriately investigated and responded to.

Per Howard County Board of Education Policy 9460 Bullying, Cyberbullying, Harassment and Intimidation Involving Students, hate bias incidents fall under the umbrella of harassment. While the HCPSS Bullying, Cyberbullying, Harassment and Intimidation form is most often used to report bullying, it is important to know this form also is for reporting harassment incidents.

An updated form is now available online and paper copies were distributed to schools. The new form now allows students, staff, and families to report hate bias incidents as a type of harassment and allows for greater description of the type of hate bias, which will help inform HCPSS staff decisions on how to best support students and staff members.

See below for additional information on hate bias and reporting of such instances.

What is a hate bias incident?

• A hate bias incident is any act or expression of hostility or aggression that is motivated by bias against a protected class but does not constitute a crime.
• In schools, this may include, but is not limited to, hateful graffiti or verbal slurs.
• Protected classes include race, color, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, disability, national origin and homeless status.

Can a reporter remain anonymous?

• A report can be made anonymously, however the administrator who investigates it will not be able to conduct follow up with the reporter if they are unidentified.
• The HCPSS Bullying, Cyberbullying, Harassment and Intimidation form is a confidential report. Therefore, should the reporter disclose who they are, their identity will remain confidential and will not be shared with the accused offender.

What followup should the reporter expect to receive?

• Policy 9460 Implementation Procedures outline the required steps administrators must take when a report is made. (See V. Investigation Procedures)
• Note: Administrators must follow all steps even if the reporter is anonymous; however, they can only follow up if the reporter identifies themselves.

Additional information and definitions for Hate/Bias Incidents and Harassment can be found online.