Public hearing requirements for an updated student code of conduct to comply with new state anti-bullying laws will be checked by the Rome school district before adopting the code, says Board of Education President Patricia Riedel.

Riedel said she will look into the issue after seeing news reports that the Utica Board of Education adopted a new code of conduct at a regular meeting without holding a separate hearing. It conceivably could raise questions on whether the new code is valid for addressing bullying concerns.

A state Education Department document on the new anti-bullying laws, formally called the Dignity for All Students Act, says an amended code of conduct "can be adopted only after at least one public hearing that provides for the participation of school personnel, parents, students and other interested parties."

The Rome district’s revised code is scheduled to be in place by September, Superintendent Jeffrey P. Simons said last month.