MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1997 Regular Session

To: Education

By: Representatives Walker, Foster, Ellis, Robertson

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 37-3-83, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO AUTHORIZE LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO USE VIDEO CAMERAS IN THE CLASSROOM TO MONITOR STUDENT DISCIPLINARY PROBLEMS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES. 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. Section 37-3-83, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

37-3-83. (1) There is * * * established within the State Department of Education a school violence prevention grant program, available to all eligible public school districts, to assist in financing programs to fight school violence.

(2) Subject to the extent of appropriations available, the school violence prevention grant program shall offer any of the following specific preventive services, and other additional services appropriate to school violence prevention:

(a) Metal detectors;

(b) Video surveillance cameras and monitoring equipment for classrooms, school buildings and school buses; * * *

(c) Crisis management/action teams responding to school violence; and

(d) Violence prevention training, conflict resolution training, and other appropriate training designated by the State Department of Education for faculty and staff.

(3) Each local school district of this state may annually apply for up to Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000.00) in school violence prevention grant funds subject to appropriations by the Legislature. In order to be eligible for such program, each local school board desiring to participate shall apply to the State Department of Education by May 31 before the beginning of the applicable fiscal year on forms provided by the department, and shall be required to establish a local school Violence Task Force to involve members of the community in the school violence prevention effort. The State Department of Education shall determine by July 1 of each succeeding year which local school districts have submitted approved applications for school violence prevention grants.

(4) Any local school district may use video camera equipment in classrooms for the purpose of monitoring school disciplinary problems.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.