This bill amends current law to prohibit school districts from denying students admittance based on tardiness or violations of dress code or school uniform policies. Specifically, it states that students cannot be denied entry due to tardiness or non-compliance with uniform policies, except in cases where a student's attire indicates gang affiliation associated with criminal activities. The bill also clarifies that school boards retain the authority to enforce their student codes of conduct or policies that do not conflict with this new provision.

Additionally, the bill introduces a requirement for school boards to adopt dress code policies only if requested by the principal, staff, and parents of the individual school, and it mandates that any such policy must include provisions to assist economically disadvantaged students. The board must hold a public hearing and provide at least three months' notice to parents before implementing any uniform policy. Furthermore, it allows for a method by which parents can opt out of the uniform policy without penalizing their children academically or otherwise.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 18A:11-8