MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2000 Regular Session

To: Education

By: Representatives Woods, Eakes, Flaggs, Frierson, Holland, Jennings

AN ACT TO REQUIRE PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS TO ADDRESS SCHOOL EMPLOYEES WITH APPROPRIATE TITLES OF RESPECT; TO REQUIRE SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO INCORPORATE THE POLICY IN THEIR DISCIPLINE PLANS AND CODES OF STUDENT CONDUCT; TO REQUIRE SCHOOL EMPLOYEES TO ADDRESS OTHER EMPLOYEES OF THE SCHOOL AND SCHOOL DISTRICT WITH APPROPRIATE TITLES OF RESPECT; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. (1) Beginning with the 2000-2001 school year, local school boards shall require all students in public school in kindergarten through twelfth grade to exhibit appropriate conduct as required under subsection (2) of this section.

(2) When any public school student is speaking with any public school employee while on school property or at a school related activity or event, the student shall address and respond to the school employee by using the respectful terms "Yes, Ma'am" and "No, Ma'am" or "Yes, Sir" and "No, Sir," as appropriate, or "Yes, Miss, Mrs., or Ms. (Surname)" and "No, Miss, Mrs., or Ms. (Surname)" or "Yes, Mr. (Surname)" and "No, Mr. (Surname)," as appropriate, each such title to be followed by the appropriate surname.

(3) Each school board shall provide for the incorporation of the requirements of this section into the school district's discipline plan and code of student conduct.

(4) Each school board shall take or provide for such appropriate actions necessary to discipline any student who fails to comply with the requirements of subsection (2) of this section.

SECTION 2. When any public school employee is speaking with any other public school employee of the school district while on school property or at a school related activity or event, the employee shall address and respond to the other public school employee by using the respectful terms "Yes, Ma'am" and "No, Ma'am" or "Yes, Sir" and "No, Sir," as appropriate, or "Yes, Miss, Mrs., or Ms. (Surname)" and "No, Miss, Mrs., or Ms. (Surname)" or "Yes, Mr. (Surname)" and "No, Mr. (Surname)," as appropriate, each such title to be followed by the appropriate surname.

SECTION 3. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2000.