House Bill No. [insert number] amends R.S. 17:416 regarding the discipline of students in public schools, specifically addressing the possession of certain substances on school property. The bill reduces the minimum expulsion period for students in grades six through twelve found guilty of possessing firearms, knives, or illegal substances from four complete school semesters to two. Additionally, it introduces a provision that allows students found guilty of possessing marijuana or its derivatives to avoid expulsion on the first occurrence, unless it is a subsequent offense. Students found guilty of possessing tobacco, alcohol, or vaping products may also be recommended for expulsion.

Furthermore, the bill enacts R.S. 17:416(O), which mandates that local school boards collect and report data annually to the state Department of Education regarding expulsions. This report must include the number of students expelled for the first and subsequent offenses, as well as the number of students who return to a regular school setting after completing their expulsion period at an alternative educational placement.

Statutes affected:
HB384 Engrossed: 17:416(C)(2)
HB384 Enrolled: 17:416(C)(2)