Rep. Redmond introduces measure to let school boards discipline students for obscene or defamatory online posts about staff

Representative Jordan Redmond introduced RS 32528 on March 3, 2025, a proposal that would add a new definition for “inappropriate online behavior” by students directed at public school employees and authorize disciplinary measures that could include bringing a student before the school board.

The measure, Redmond said, “was brought to me by some of the teachers back in my district that have expressed major concerns about the increasing number of inappropriate online behaviors by students with online posts that are obscene, discriminatory and harmful to a teacher's reputation.” He asked the committee for a motion to introduce the proposal.

Committee members raised legal and scope questions. Representative Kyle Harris asked whether staff had consulted legal counsel, saying on first glance “it seems like it might be delving into some First Amendment issues.” Redmond replied he did not believe the First Amendment would block the proposal when posts are “obscene and defamatory,” adding, “If they're posting something just saying I don't like Mrs. Smith, that's one thing. But when there's lewd or crude posts, I think that's where we can see more issues.”

Other members sought sharper limits in the draft. Representative Harris noted the bill’s draft “doesn't specifically target employees. It also targets other persons,” and said that raised “muddied up” concerns because the measure could reach parents or nonemployees and could apply “during or outside of school hours or on or off school property.” He asked Redmond to consult legal counsel—LSO or the attorney general—before a full hearing.

Representative Nelson and Representative Garner also asked Redmond to clarify whether the measure covers student-to-student incidents or is focused on students’ speech about staff; Redmond replied the draft is “more geared towards students saying something defamatory against the teaching staff or possibly other folks within the school.” Representative Mathias expressed support for broad disciplinary authority by schools and noted the bill “isn't creating new crimes or anything; I think that's really within the scope of what school districts probably already do anyway.”

The committee voted to introduce RS 32528 for a future hearing. Several members requested Redmond return with legal advice and clarified definitions so the scope—who is a covered “person,” whether parents are included, and whether off-campus speech is covered—would be explicit during the hearing.