MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2000 Regular Session

To: Education

By: Representative Robinson (84th)

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 37-11-18, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO ALLOW THE PERIOD OF EXPULSION REQUIRED FOR STUDENTS POSSESSING A WEAPON OR CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE OR COMMITTING A VIOLENT ACT ON EDUCATIONAL PROPERTY TO BE LESS THAN A CALENDAR YEAR; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. Section 37-11-18, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

37-11-18. Any student in any school who possesses any controlled substance in violation of the Uniform Controlled Substances Law, a knife, handgun, other firearm or any other instrument considered to be dangerous and capable of causing bodily harm or who commits a violent act on educational property, as defined in Section 97-37-17, shall be subject to automatic expulsion for up to a calendar year by the superintendent or principal of the school in which the student is enrolled; * * * however, * * * the superintendent of the school shall be authorized to modify the period of time for such expulsion on a case by case basis. Such expulsion shall take effect immediately subject to the constitutional rights of due process, which shall include the student's right to appeal to the local school board.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2000.