04/07/1995 09:15 AM Senate HES

                                                                               
          HB 215 GROUNDS FOR SUSPENSION OF STUDENTS                          
                                                                               
 Number 149                                                                    
                                                                               
 CHAIRMAN GREEN introduced  HB 215  as the next order of business              
 before the committee.                                                         
                                                                               
 REPRESENTATIVE CON BUNDE, prime sponsor of HB 215, stated that                
 HB 215 is an extension of existing legislation.  He explained that            
 existing legislation states that a student can be suspended if that           
 student behaves in a manner inappropriate and dangerous for school            
 if the behavior was exhibited in the presence of other students.              
 The loophole, is when students are not present and a student                  
 exhibits dangerous behavior in the presence of teachers, aides,               
 volunteers, and principals.  In that case, the suspension would not           
 apply.  HB 215 tightens the language so that a student exhibiting             
 serious hostile behavior that would endanger another person could             
 be suspended or expelled even if other students were not present.             
                                                                               
 CHAIRMAN GREEN inquired as to the support HB 215 has received in              
 the school district.   REPRESENTATIVE CON BUNDE stated that he had            
 not heard any opposition.  Schools across the state feel that this            
 is necessary due to the kinds of students that are in school as               
 well as the increasing level of violence in schools.                          
                                                                               
 REPRESENTATIVE CON BUNDE noted that Wendy Redman would like to                
 include the university in this bill.  He was not opposed to that,             
 however, he questioned whether that addition would fall under the             
 title of the bill.                                                            
                                                                               
 SENATOR LEMAN asked if there was a definition of public school.               
 REPRESENTATIVE CON BUNDE said that by statute a public school is              
 defined as K-12.  SENATOR SALO stated that the title would probably           
 have to specify public school or university.                                  
                                                                               
 Number 210                                                                    
                                                                               
 WENDY REDMAN, Vice President of University Relations, informed the            
 committee that a public school is defined as a school operated by             
 publicly elected or appointed school officials in which the program           
 and activities are under the control of those officials and is                
 supported by public funds.  She said that the definition did not              
 seem to exclude the university.                                               
                                                                               
 CHAIRMAN GREEN indicated that HB 215 could be passed out of                   
 committee where it could be handled.                                          
                                                                               
 SENATOR MILLER pointed out that the next committee of referral was            
 Rules.  He said that the university could be included and a legal             
 opinion regarding that title question could be requested in the               
 meantime.                                                                     
                                                                               
 SENATOR SALO moved HB 215 am out of committee with individual                 
 recommendations.  Hearing no objections, it was so ordered.