RALEIGH, N.C. — Gov. Bev Perdue has signed into law a bill to prevent the bullying and harassment of students and school employees on school property, school buses or at school-sponsored events.

Under the new law, school districts statewide must adopt a policy before Dec. 31 that prohibits bullying or harassing behavior.

The policy must include the following components:

• A definition of bullying or harassing behavior, along with a description of the type of behavior expected for each student and school employee.

• Consequences and appropriate remedial action for a person who commits a bullying or harassing act.

• A procedure for reporting an act of bullying or harassment, as well as a procedure for prompt investigation of such reports, identifying either the principal or the principal's designee as the person responsible for the investigation.

• A statement that prohibits retaliation against any person who reports an act of bullying or harassment, and the consequences and for a person who engages in reprisal or retaliation.

• A statement of how the policy will be disseminated and publicized.

  School districts are required to provide training on the policy by March 1, 2010, to employees and volunteers who have significant contact with students, and the policy must appear in any school system publication that conveys the rules, procedures and standards of conduct for schools within the district.

  The law will be applied beginning with the 2009-10 school year.