The bill, S.B. No. 475, establishes a Classroom Safety Review and Referral Program aimed at addressing violent criminal conduct by students in public primary and secondary schools. It mandates that if a principal has reasonable grounds to believe a student has engaged in violent conduct, they must either refer the student to a classroom safety review committee or report the incident to local law enforcement. The bill requires schools to form a safety review committee composed of five elected classroom teachers and a referral board that includes teachers, an assistant district attorney, a sheriff's office investigator, and a parent. The committee and board are responsible for reviewing evidence and determining appropriate actions, which may include community service or reporting to law enforcement.

Additionally, the bill introduces a criminal offense for destroying materials related to the safety review process, classifying it as a Class A misdemeanor. It also stipulates that any testimony provided during the review process is confidential. The provisions of this act will take effect starting with the 2025-2026 school year, and it will be enacted immediately if it receives a two-thirds majority vote in both houses of the legislature.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: ()