MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1999 Regular Session

To: Education

By: Senator(s) Harvey

AN ACT TO DIRECT THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION TO ADOPT GUIDELINES FOR MANDATORY STUDENT UNIFORMS AND TO REQUIRE THE SCHOOL BOARDS OF ALL SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO PRESCRIBE A MANDATORY STUDENT UNIFORM BEGINNING WITH THE 1999-2000 SCHOOL YEAR; TO AMEND SECTION 37-7-335, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO AUTHORIZE SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO CHARGE FEES NOT EXCEEDING THE ACTUAL COST FOR STUDENT UNIFORMS; TO AMEND SECTION 37-11-55, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REQUIRE SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO INCLUDE AN EXPLANATION OF STUDENTS' RESPONSIBILITIES REGARDING UNIFORMS IN THE CODE OF STUDENT CONDUCT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. (1) The State Board of Education shall adopt guidelines for mandatory uniforms for all students enrolled in the public schools to be promulgated to all school districts on or before July 1, 1999.

(2) Beginning with the 1999-2000 school year, the school board of each school district shall prescribe a mandatory uniform for all students enrolled in the district, and make available to the students, for purchase, the various components of the uniform when not available in the local community.

SECTION 2. Section 37-7-335, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

37-7-335. (1) The school board of each school district may charge reasonable fees, but not more than the actual cost, for the following:

(a) Supplemental instructional materials and supplies, excluding textbooks;

(b) Any other fees designated by the local school board as fees related to a valid curriculum educational objective, including school uniforms and transportation; and

(c) Extracurricular activities and any other educational activities of the school district which are not designated by the local school board as valid curriculum educational objectives, such as band trips and athletic events.

(2) (a) All fees authorized to be charged under this section, except those fees authorized under subsection (1)(c) of this section, shall be charged only upon the condition that the school board of each school district shall adopt a financial hardship waiver policy that shall be kept in the strictest of confidence with all files and personal disclosures restricted from review by the general public. The board shall insure that a pupil eligible to have any such fees waived as a result of an inability to pay for said fees, shall not be discriminated against nor shall there be any overt identification of any pupil who has received a financial hardship waiver by use of special tokens or tickets, announcements, posting or publication of names, physical separation, choice of materials or by any other means. In no case shall any school district's procedures expose any pupil receiving a hardship waiver to any type of stigma or ridicule by other pupils or school district personnel.

(b) The confidentiality of the financial hardship waiver policy adopted by such school board shall apply to any students who have an inability to pay any fees authorized under subsection (1)(c) of this section.

(3) In no case shall the inability to pay the assessment of fees authorized under * * * this section result in a pupil being denied or deprived of any academic awards or standards, any class selection, grade, diploma, transcript or the right to participate in any activity related to educational enhancement.

SECTION 3. Section 37-11-55, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

37-11-55. The local school board shall adopt and make available to all teachers, school personnel, students and parents or guardians, at the beginning of * * * each school year * * *, a code of student conduct developed in consultation with teachers, school personnel, students and parents or guardians. The code shall be based on the rules governing student conduct and discipline adopted by the school board and may be made available at the school level in the student handbook or similar publication. The code shall include, but not be limited to:

(a) Specific grounds for disciplinary action;

(b) Procedures to be followed for acts requiring discipline; and

(c) An explanation of the responsibilities and rights of students with regard to attendance, proper attire in conformity with the school uniform, respect for persons and property, knowledge and observation of rules of conduct, the right to learn, free speech and student publications, assembly, privacy and participation in school programs and activities.

SECTION 4. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 1999.