MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2001 Regular Session

To: Education

By: Senator(s) Jackson

AN ACT TO REQUIRE CERTAIN APPROPRIATE CONDUCT BY ALL STUDENTS IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES; TO REQUIRE CITY AND COUNTY SCHOOL BOARDS TO PROVIDE FOR INCORPORATION OF SUCH REQUIREMENTS INTO ANY EXISTING DISCIPLINE POLICY OR POLICIES OR ANY CODE OF CONDUCT OF THE SCHOOL SYSTEM; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. (1) Beginning with the 2001-2002 school year and thereafter, each city and county school board shall require each student in each public school under the jurisdiction of the board to exhibit appropriate conduct as follows:

(a) When any teacher or administrator enters a room in any public school, each student present in such room shall stand and shall remain standing until the appropriate school official instructs the student or students to be seated.

(b) When any public school student is speaking with any teacher or administrator while on school property or at a school sponsored event, then such student shall address and respond to such teacher or administrator 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.

(2) Each city and county school board shall provide for incorporation of the requirements of this section into any existing discipline policy or policies or any code of conduct of the school system or of each school within its jurisdiction.

(3) Each city and county school board shall take or provide for such appropriate actions necessary to discipline any student who fails to comply with requirements of subsection (1) of this section.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2001.