HB2341: Suspension of a student, short-term; pending principal, etc., decision on alternative education.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That 22.1-277.2:1 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:
22.1-277.2:1. Disciplinary authority of school boards under certain circumstances; alternative education program.
A. A school board may, in accordance with the procedures set forth in this article, require any student who has been (i) charged with an offense relating to the Commonwealth's laws, or with a violation of school board policies, on weapons, alcohol or drugs, or intentional injury to another person, or with an offense that is required to be disclosed to the superintendent of the school division pursuant to subsection G of 16.1-260; (ii) found guilty or not innocent of an offense relating to the Commonwealth's laws on weapons, alcohol, or drugs, or of a crime that resulted in or could have resulted in injury to others, or of an offense that is required to be disclosed to the superintendent of the school division pursuant to subsection G of 16.1-260; (iii) found to have committed a serious offense or repeated offenses in violation of school board policies; (iv) suspended pursuant to 22.1-277.05; or (v) expelled pursuant to 22.1-277.06, 22.1-277.07, or 22.1-277.08, or subsection B of 22.1-277, to attend an alternative education program. A school board may require such student to attend such programs regardless of where the crime occurred. School boards may require any student who has been found, in accordance with the procedures set forth in this article, to have been in possession of, or under the influence of, drugs or alcohol on a school bus, on school property, or at a school-sponsored activity in violation of school board policies, to undergo evaluation for drug or alcohol abuse, or both, and, if recommended by the evaluator and with the consent of the student's parent, to participate in a treatment program.
As used in this section, the term "charged" means that a petition or warrant has been filed or is pending against a pupil.
B. A school board may adopt regulations authorizing the division superintendent or his designee to require students to attend an alternative education program consistent with the provisions of subsection A after (i) written notice to the student and his parent that the student will be required to attend an alternative education program and (ii) notice of the opportunity for the student or his parent to participate in a hearing to be conducted by the division superintendent or his designee regarding such placement. The decision of the superintendent or his designee regarding such alternative education placement shall be final unless altered by the school board, upon timely written petition, as established in regulation, by the student or his parent, for a review of the record by the school board.
C. A school board may adopt regulations authorizing the principal or his designee, following oral notice and an opportunity for a hearing to be conducted by the principal or designee, to impose a short-term suspension, as defined in 22.1-276.01, upon a student who has been charged with an offense involving intentional injury to another student of the school division pending a decision by the division superintendent or his designee as to whether to require that such student attend an alternative education program.