Sec. 1. 20-A MRSA §6554 is enacted to read:

§6554.__Threatening or violent behavior

A student in a public school who engages in threatening or violent behavior against another student or a staff member or other school personnel must be suspended for a period of up to one year.__As used in this section, "threatening or violent behavior" means intentionally or knowingly placing another person in fear of imminent bodily injury or intentionally, knowingly or recklessly causing bodily injury or offensive physical contact to another person.

The penalties imposed pursuant to this section are in addition to any other civil or criminal penalty to which a student may be subject.

A school board shall adopt a written policy that prohibits threatening or violent behavior by students and shall clearly set forth the policy and penalties adopted and distribute copies of the policy and penalties to the parents or guardians of students enrolled in the school administrative unit.

SUMMARY

This bill allows a school board to suspend a student for up to one year if the student engages in threatening or violent behavior against another student or a staff member or other school personnel. Each public school board is required to establish a written policy and penalties and to provide a copy of the policy and penalties to all students.