HB 1841-S - DIGEST

(SUBSTITUTED FOR - SEE 2ND SUB)

     Provides that a student who is enrolled in a public school or an alternative school may be suspended or expelled if the student is a member of a criminal street gang and knowingly engages in a pattern of criminal gang activity.

     Declares that a person commits the offense of criminal gang intimidation if the person threatens another person because the other person refuses to join or has attempted to withdraw from a criminal gang, if the person who threatens the victim attends or is registered in a public school, attended or was registered in a public school within the previous two years, or is of compulsory attendance age.  Criminal gang intimidation is a class C felony.

     Provides that, whenever a minor enrolled in any primary or secondary school is charged with any of the following offenses, the juvenile court administrator must notify the parents or legal guardian of the student and the principal of the student's school of the charge and disposition of the case:  (1) A violent offense as defined in RCW 9.94A.030;

     (2) a sex offense as defined in RCW 9.94A.030;

     (3) inhaling toxic fumes under chapter 9.47A RCW;

     (4) a controlled substances violation under chapter 69.50 RCW;

     (5) a liquor violation under RCW 66.44.270; or

     (6) an offense of criminal gang activity.

     Directs school district boards of directors to adopt policies that restore discipline to the classroom.  Such policies must provide for at least the following:  Allowing each teacher to take disciplinary action to correct a student who disrupts normal classroom activities, abuses or insults a teacher as prohibited by RCW 28A.635.010, willfully disobeys a teacher, uses abusive or foul language directed at a teacher or another student, violates school rules, or who interferes with an orderly education process.

     Provides that school district boards of directors may adopt policies that limit the possession of:  (1) Paging telecommunication devices by students that emit audible signals, vibrate, display a message, or otherwise summons or delivers a communication to the possessor; and

     (2) portable or cellular telephones.

     Prohibits knives on school premises.

     Provides that the governing board of any school district may adopt a reasonable dress and appearance code that prohibits students from wearing gang-related apparel.