HB 285 -- Discipline in Public Schools

Co-Sponsors:  Walton, Moore, Sager, Boykins, Bland, Hubbard,
Hoskins

This bill requires each school district to establish a policy
that prohibits bullying, which is defined in the bill.  The
policy must be consistently and fairly enforced.  The bill also
requires schools to report instances of making terroristic
threats and permits discipline policies to address the issue of
notification of students and parents concerning credible threats
under conditions described in the bill.  The bill amends the
conditions under which school boards may suspend pupils,
clarifying that pupils who are convicted of felonies may be
suspended.  Categories of suspension are added that cover
students who have been adjudicated to have committed an act that
would have been a felony if committed by an adult and students
against whom a petition has been filed in juvenile court alleging
the commission of an act that would have been a felony if
committed by an adult or against whom an indictment or
information has been filed alleging the commission of a felony.

Districts must consider including character education as part of
their curriculum when they determine it would improve discipline.
The bill establishes a pilot grant program for school districts
to provide parental involvement services to families with
children who are considered at risk.

Employees of public schools, including charter schools, are
prohibited from performing strip searches on students.  An
employee in violation will be suspended without pay, pending an
evidentiary hearing if the employee is entitled to a hearing.

Missouri House of Representatives
Last Updated July 25, 2003 at 10:11 am