Thank you for your question. Unfortunately, the relevant Washington bill (the anti-bullying bill you referred to) actually only requires that schools develop a policy and procedure for handling bullying complaints. Regrettably, this means that you'll need to inquire with the school about the school's particular process for processing and addressing bullying complaints. You can read SHB 1444 at the following link.http://apps.leg.wa.gov/documents/billdocs/2001-02/Pdf/Bill%20Reports/House/1444-S.HBR.pdfIf another student is making false statements about your child, you may have grounds to file suit against the child and parents for defamation. A successful defamation plaintiff must typically show that:1. The defendant made a statement of fact to a third party regarding the plaintiff;2. The statement was not true;3. The statement harmed the plaintiff.For a defamation suit, you will want to retain an attorney to represent you. A defamation suit is a full-fledged legal matter for which you should have the representation of a legal professional. Further, if the school has failed to comply with SHB1444 or if the school is failing to protect your child in accordance with that bill, your attorney may be able to assist you in that matter as well. If you need additional clarification of this response, please ask a follow-up question and I will be happy to clarify. Good luck, T _____________________________________ Please click the green Accept Button for each and every answer and leave Positive Feedback so that I receive credit for answering your question. Bonuses are greatly appreciated. I do not receive any payment at all from JustAnswer unless you click accept. Please remember: Feedback is left for me as an answerer. Please do not shoot the messenger. My control over the content of the answer is limited by the restraint of truth.
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Thank you for your question. If you are absolutely adamant that you do not wish to pursue a lawsuit, you could potentially attempt to handle this matter by contacting the Washington State Board of Education. You could even potentially try contacting the governor's office and attempting to get the governor's office to put some pressure on the Board of Education. However, it may be prudent to allow your attorney to handle these discussions and review any letters you may send, as such communications may be used against you if a lawsuit should later become necessary. For that reason, it is wise to let your attorney review such communications to ensure that you do not harm the strength of your own potential case.However, in the end, if the Board of Education doesn't crack down on the way the school is operated, a lawsuit may be necessary. Unfortunately, situations like this are really reason the legal system exists. Therefore, if the Board of Education is not willing to cooperate and voluntarily resolve the issue, your remedy will be a lawsuit. Lawsuits are society's civil way of making others do the right thing.Aside from defamation, there may be a cause of action to sue the student and the teachers involved for harassment. Alternatively, you may have grounds for a suit revolving around intentional infliction of emotional distress, though such suits can be relatively difficult to win. Your attorney can help you evaluate these potential causes of action, as well as any others that might be applicable, to help you determine on which grounds you might most appropriately file suit given the detailed facts of your particular circumstances.Removing her from a school team or squad (and the surrounding consequences) could be considered an injury for which damages could be recovered.While it is possible to pursue legal action without an attorney, it is typically best to retain an attorney to help you navigate the system and develop your claim. The legal system can be complicated, complex, and time consuming. This, along with the excessive training involved, is why lawyers can be so costly at times. The good news is that you may be able to get an attorney to represent your daughter on a contingency basis. This means that you may not have to pay the attorney if the attorney does not recover for you. In other words, the attorney is paid out of winnings. In such circumstances, you may still be liable for court costs. Accordingly, it is prudent to discuss such a possible fee arrangement in detail with your attorney. Please be sure to click accept so that I will receive credit for my ime and my effort spent responding to you. Bonuses are always greatly appreciated. If you need additional clarification of this response, please ask a follow-up question and I will be happy to clarify. Good luck, T _____________________________________ Please click the green Accept Button for each and every answer and leave Positive Feedback so that I receive credit for answering your question. Bonuses are greatly appreciated. I do not receive any payment at all from JustAnswer unless you click accept. Please remember: Feedback is left for me as an answerer. Please do not shoot the messenger. My control over the content of the answer is limited by the restraint of truth.
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