School Discipline Laws & Regulations by State & Category

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Statesort descending Statute
California

LAWS

EDC 32261.

(a) The Legislature hereby recognizes that all pupils enrolled in the state public schools have the inalienable right to attend classes on school campuses that are safe, secure, and peaceful. The Legislature also recognizes that pupils cannot fully benefit from an educational program unless they attend school on a regular basis. In addition, the Legislature further recognizes that school crime, vandalism, truancy, and excessive absenteeism are significant problems on far too many school campuses in the state.

(b) The Legislature hereby finds and declares that the establishment of an interagency coordination system is the most efficient and long-lasting means of resolving school and community problems of truancy and crime, including vandalism, drug and alcohol abuse, gang membership, gang violence, and hate crimes.

(d) It is the intent of the Legislature in enacting this chapter to encourage school districts, county offices of education, law enforcement agencies, and agencies serving youth to develop and implement interagency strategies, in-service training programs, and activities that will improve school attendance and reduce school crime and violence, including vandalism, drug and alcohol abuse, gang membership, gang violence, hate crimes, bullying, including bullying committed personally or by means of an electronic act, teen relationship violence, and discrimination and harassment, including, but not limited to, sexual harassment.

(e) It is the intent of the Legislature in enacting this chapter that the School/Law Enforcement Partnership shall not duplicate any existing gang or drug and alcohol abuse program currently provided for schools.

(f) As used in this chapter, “bullying” has the same meaning as set forth in subdivision (r) of Section 48900.

(g) As used in this chapter, “electronic act” has the same meaning as set forth in subdivision (r) of Section 48900.

EDC 48900.

A pupil shall not be suspended from school or recommended for expulsion, unless the superintendent of the school district or the principal of the school in which the pupil is enrolled determines that the pupil has committed an act as defined pursuant to any of subdivisions (a) to (r), inclusive:

(c) Unlawfully possessed, used, sold, or otherwise furnished, or been under the influence of, a controlled substance listed in Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 11053) of Division 10 of the Health and Safety Code, an alcoholic beverage, or an intoxicant of any kind.

(d) Unlawfully offered, arranged, or negotiated to sell a controlled substance listed in Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 11053) of Division 10 of the Health and Safety Code, an alcoholic beverage, or an intoxicant of any kind, and either sold, delivered, or otherwise furnished to a person another liquid, substance, or material and represented the liquid, substance, or material as a controlled substance, alcoholic beverage, or intoxicant.

(h) Possessed or used tobacco, or products containing tobacco or nicotine products, including, but not limited to, cigarettes, cigars, miniature cigars, clove cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, snuff, chew packets, and betel. However, this section does not prohibit the use or possession by a pupil of his or her own prescription products.

(j) Unlawfully possessed or unlawfully offered, arranged, or negotiated to sell drug paraphernalia, as defined in Section 11014.5 of the Health and Safety Code.

(p) Unlawfully offered, arranged to sell, negotiated to sell, or sold the prescription drug Soma.

EDC 48901.

(a) No school shall permit the smoking or use of a tobacco product by pupils of the school while the pupils are on campus, or while attending school-sponsored activities or while under the supervision and control of school district employees.

(b) The governing board of any school district maintaining a high school shall take all steps it deems practical to discourage high school students from smoking.

(c) For purposes of this section, “smoking” has the same meaning as in subdivision (c) of Section 22950.5 of the Business and Professions Code.

(d) For purposes of this section, “tobacco product” means a product or device as defined in subdivision (d) of Section 22950.5 of the Business and Professions Code.

EDC 48909.

When a petition is requested in juvenile court or a complaint is filed in any court alleging that a minor of compulsory school attendance age or any pupil currently enrolled in a public school in a grade to and including grade 12 is a person who (a) has used, sold, or possessed narcotics or other hallucinogenic drugs or substances; (b) has inhaled or breathed the fumes of, or ingested any poison classified as such in Section 4160 of the Business and Professions Code; or (c) has committed felonious assault, homicide, or rape the district attorney may, within 48 hours, provide written notice to the superintendent of the school district of attendance, notwithstanding the provisions of Section 827 of the Welfare and Institutions Code, and to the pupil's parent or guardian.

EDC 48915.

(a)(1) Except as provided in subdivisions (c) and (e), the principal or the superintendent of schools shall recommend the expulsion of a pupil for any of the following acts committed at school or at a school activity off school grounds, unless the principal or superintendent determines that expulsion should not be recommended under the circumstances or that an alternative means of correction would address the conduct:

(C) Unlawful possession of any controlled substance listed in Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 11053) of Division 10 of the Health and Safety Code, except for either of the following:

(i) The first offense for the possession of not more than one avoirdupois ounce of marijuana, other than concentrated cannabis.

(ii) The possession of over-the-counter medication for use by the pupil for medical purposes or medication prescribed for the pupil by a physician.

(c) The principal or superintendent of schools shall immediately suspend, pursuant to Section 48911, and shall recommend expulsion of a pupil that he or she determines has committed any of the following acts at school or at a school activity off school grounds:

(3) Unlawfully selling a controlled substance listed in Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 11053) of Division 10 of the Health and Safety Code.

EDC 48916.5.

The governing board may require a pupil who is expelled from school for reasons relating to controlled substances, as defined in Sections 11054 to 11058, inclusive, of the Health and Safety Code, or alcohol, prior to returning to school to enroll in a county-supported drug rehabilitation program. No pupil shall be required to enroll in a rehabilitation program pursuant to this section without the consent of his or her parent or guardian.

EDC 49414.3.

(a) School districts, county offices of education, and charter schools may provide emergency naloxone hydrochloride or another opioid antagonist to school nurses or trained personnel who have volunteered pursuant to subdivision (d), and school nurses or trained personnel may use naloxone hydrochloride or another opioid antagonist to provide emergency medical aid to persons suffering, or reasonably believed to be suffering, from an opioid overdose.

(b) For purposes of this section, the following terms have the following meanings:

(1) “Authorizing physician and surgeon” may include, but is not limited to, a physician and surgeon employed by, or contracting with, a local educational agency, a medical director of the local health department, or a local emergency medical services director.

(2) “Auto-injector” means a disposable delivery device designed for the automatic injection of a premeasured dose of an opioid antagonist into the human body and approved by the federal Food and Drug Administration for layperson use.

(3) “Opioid antagonist” means naloxone hydrochloride or another drug approved by the federal Food and Drug Administration that, when administered, negates or neutralizes in whole or in part the pharmacological effects of an opioid in the body, and has been approved for the treatment of an opioid overdose.

(4) “Qualified supervisor of health” may include, but is not limited to, a school nurse.

(5) “Volunteer” or “trained personnel” means an employee who has volunteered to administer naloxone hydrochloride or another opioid antagonist to a person if the person is suffering, or reasonably believed to be suffering, from an opioid overdose, has been designated by a school, and has received training pursuant to subdivision (d).

(c) Each public and private elementary and secondary school in the state may voluntarily determine whether or not to make emergency naloxone hydrochloride or another opioid antagonist and trained personnel available at its school. In making this determination, a school shall evaluate the emergency medical response time to the school and determine whether initiating emergency medical services is an acceptable alternative to naloxone hydrochloride or another opioid antagonist and trained personnel. A private elementary or secondary school choosing to exercise the authority provided under this subdivision shall not receive state funds specifically for purposes of this subdivision.

(d)(1) Each public and private elementary and secondary school in the state may designate one or more volunteers to receive initial and annual refresher training, based on the standards developed pursuant to subdivision (e), regarding the storage and emergency use of naloxone hydrochloride or another opioid antagonist from the school nurse or other qualified person designated by an authorizing physician and surgeon. A benefit shall not be granted to or withheld from any individual based on his or her offer to volunteer, and there shall be no retaliation against any individual for rescinding his or her offer to volunteer, including after receiving training. Any school district, county office of education, or charter school choosing to exercise the authority provided under this subdivision shall provide the training for the volunteers at no cost to the volunteer and during the volunteer's regular working hours.

(2) An employee who volunteers pursuant to this section may rescind his or her offer to administer emergency naloxone hydrochloride or another opioid antagonist at any time, including after receipt of training.

(e)(1) The Superintendent shall establish minimum standards of training for the administration of naloxone hydrochloride or another opioid antagonist that satisfies the requirements of paragraph (2). Every five years, or sooner as deemed necessary by the Superintendent, the Superintendent shall review minimum standards of training for the administration of naloxone hydrochloride or other opioid antagonists that satisfy the requirements of paragraph (2). For purposes of this subdivision, the Superintendent shall consult with organizations and providers with expertise in administering naloxone hydrochloride or another opioid antagonist and administering medication in a school environment, including, but not limited to, the California Society of Addiction Medicine, the Emergency Medical Services Authority, the California School Nurses Organization, the California Medical Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and others.

(2) Training established pursuant to this subdivision shall include all of the following:

(A) Techniques for recognizing symptoms of an opioid overdose.

(B) Standards and procedures for the storage, restocking, and emergency use of naloxone hydrochloride or another opioid antagonist.

(C) Basic emergency followup procedures, including, but not limited to, a requirement for the school or charter school administrator or, if the administrator is not available, another school staff member to call the emergency 911 telephone number and to contact the pupil's parent or guardian.

(D) Recommendations on the necessity of instruction and certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

(E) Written materials covering the information required under this subdivision.

(3) Training established pursuant to this subdivision shall be consistent with the most recent guidelines for medication administration issued by the department.

(4) A school shall retain for reference the written materials prepared under subparagraph (E) of paragraph (2).

(5) The department shall include on its Internet Web site a clearinghouse for best practices in training nonmedical personnel to administer naloxone hydrochloride or another opioid antagonist to pupils.

(f) Any school district, county office of education, or charter school electing to utilize naloxone hydrochloride or another opioid antagonist for emergency aid shall distribute a notice at least once per school year to all staff that contains the following information:

(1) A description of the volunteer request stating that the request is for volunteers to be trained to administer naloxone hydrochloride or another opioid antagonist to a person if the person is suffering, or reasonably believed to be suffering, from an opioid overdose.

(2) A description of the training that the volunteer will receive pursuant to subdivision (d).

(3) The right of an employee to rescind his or her offer to volunteer pursuant to this section.

(4) A statement that no benefit will be granted to or withheld from any individual based on his or her offer to volunteer and that there will be no retaliation against any individual for rescinding his or her offer to volunteer, including after receiving training.

(g)(1) A qualified supervisor of health at a school district, county office of education, or charter school electing to utilize naloxone hydrochloride or another opioid antagonist for emergency aid shall obtain from an authorizing physician and surgeon a prescription for each school for naloxone hydrochloride or another opioid antagonist. A qualified supervisor of health at a school district, county office of education, or charter school shall be responsible for stocking the naloxone hydrochloride or another opioid antagonist and restocking it if it is used.

(2) If a school district, county office of education, or charter school does not have a qualified supervisor of health, an administrator at the school district, county office of education, or charter school shall carry out the duties specified in paragraph (1).

(3) A prescription pursuant to this subdivision may be filled by local or mail order pharmacies or naloxone hydrochloride or another opioid antagonist manufacturers.

(4) An authorizing physician and surgeon shall not be subject to professional review, be liable in a civil action, or be subject to criminal prosecution for the issuance of a prescription or order pursuant to this section, unless the physician and surgeon's issuance of the prescription or order constitutes gross negligence or willful or malicious conduct.

(h)(1) A school nurse or, if the school does not have a school nurse or the school nurse is not onsite or available, a volunteer may administer naloxone hydrochloride or another opioid antagonist to a person exhibiting potentially life-threatening symptoms of an opioid overdose at school or a school activity when a physician is not immediately available. If the naloxone hydrochloride or another opioid antagonist is used it shall be restocked as soon as reasonably possible, but no later than two weeks after it is used. Naloxone hydrochloride or another opioid antagonist shall be restocked before its expiration date.

(2) Volunteers may administer naloxone hydrochloride or another opioid antagonist only by nasal spray or by auto-injector.

(3) A volunteer shall be allowed to administer naloxone hydrochloride or another opioid antagonist in a form listed in paragraph (2) that the volunteer is most comfortable with.

(i) A school district, county office of education, or charter school electing to utilize naloxone hydrochloride or another opioid antagonist for emergency aid shall ensure that each employee who volunteers under this section will be provided defense and indemnification by the school district, county office of education, or charter school for any and all civil liability, in accordance with, but not limited to, that provided in Division 3.6 (commencing with Section 810) of Title 1 of the Government Code. This information shall be reduced to writing, provided to the volunteer, and retained in the volunteer's personnel file.

(j)(1) Notwithstanding any other law, a person trained as required under subdivision (d), who administers naloxone hydrochloride or another opioid antagonist, in good faith and not for compensation, to a person who appears to be experiencing an opioid overdose shall not be subject to professional review, be liable in a civil action, or be subject to criminal prosecution for his or her acts or omissions in administering the naloxone hydrochloride or another opioid antagonist.

(2) The protection specified in paragraph (1) shall not apply in a case of gross negligence or willful and wanton misconduct of the person who renders emergency care treatment by the use of naloxone hydrochloride or another opioid antagonist.

(3) Any public employee who volunteers to administer naloxone hydrochloride or another opioid antagonist pursuant to subdivision (d) is not providing emergency medical care “for compensation,” notwithstanding the fact that he or she is a paid public employee.

(k) A state agency, the department, or a public school may accept gifts, grants, and donations from any source for the support of the public school carrying out the provisions of this section, including, but not limited to, the acceptance of naloxone hydrochloride or another opioid antagonist from a manufacturer or wholesaler.

PEN 626.85.

(a) Any specified drug offender who, at any time, comes into any school building or upon any school ground, or adjacent street, sidewalk, or public way, unless the person is a parent or guardian of a child attending that school and his or her presence is during any school activity, or is a student at the school and his or her presence is during any school activity, or has prior written permission for the entry from the chief administrative officer of that school, is guilty of a misdemeanor if he or she does any of the following:

(1) Remains there after being asked to leave by the chief administrative officer of that school or his or her designated representative, or by a person employed as a member of a security or police department of a school district pursuant to Section 39670 of the Education Code, or a city police officer, sheriff, or a Department of the California Highway Patrol peace officer.

(2) Reenters or comes upon that place within seven days of being asked to leave by a person specified in paragraph (1) of subdivision (a).

(3) Has otherwise established a continued pattern of unauthorized entry.

This section shall not be utilized to impinge upon the lawful exercise of constitutionally protected rights of freedom of speech or assembly, or to prohibit any lawful act, including picketing, strikes, or collective bargaining.

(b) Punishment for violation of this section shall be as follows:

(1) Upon a first conviction, by a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars ($1,000), by imprisonment in the county jail for a period of not more than six months, or by both that fine and imprisonment.

(2) If the defendant has been previously convicted once of a violation of any offense defined in this chapter or Section 415.5, by imprisonment in the county jail for a period of not less than 10 days or more than six months, or by both imprisonment and a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars ($1,000), and the defendant shall not be released on probation, parole, or any other basis until he or she has served not less than 10 days.

(3) If the defendant has been previously convicted two or more times of a violation of any offense defined in this chapter or Section 415.5, by imprisonment in the county jail for a period of not less than 90 days or more than six months, or by both imprisonment and a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars ($1,000), and the defendant shall not be released on probation, parole, or any other basis until he or she has served not less than 90 days.

(c) As used in this section:

(1) “Specified drug offender” means any person who, within the immediately preceding three years, has a felony or misdemeanor conviction of either:

(A) Unlawful sale, or possession for sale, of any controlled substance, as defined in Section 11007 of the Health and Safety Code.

(B) Unlawful use, possession, or being under the influence of any controlled substance, as defined in Section 11007 of the Health and Safety Code, where that conviction was based on conduct which occurred, wholly or partly, in any school building or upon any school ground, or adjacent street, sidewalk, or public way.

(2) “Continued pattern of unauthorized entry” means that on at least two prior occasions in the same calendar year the defendant came into any school building or upon any school ground, or adjacent street, sidewalk, or public way, and the defendant was asked to leave by a person specified in paragraph (1) of subdivision (a).

(3) “School” means any preschool or public or private school having any of grades kindergarten to 12, inclusive.

(4) “School activity” means and includes any school session, any extracurricular activity or event sponsored by or participated in by the school, and the 30-minute periods immediately preceding and following any session, activity, or event.

(d) When a person is directed to leave pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (a), the person directing him or her to leave shall inform the person that if he or she reenters the place he or she will be guilty of a crime.

REGULATIONS

No relevant regulations found.