House approves new school notification system for violent juvenile offenders after amendments

House Bill 230, a measure to streamline information sharing about violent juvenile offenders with school personnel, was amended on the floor and approved by the House on Feb. 16.

Sponsor Representative Shepherd said the bill requires juvenile courts to notify district superintendents when a juvenile is adjudicated for a violent or weapons offense; the superintendent would notify principals and appropriate staff and a secure file would be maintained. Shepherd said the change aims to improve school safety and enable targeted interventions. "Information disclosure is desirable because it assures that needed services will be provided the juvenile," he said.

Floor amendments addressed expungement and scope. Shepherd moved an amendment instructing school systems to delete secure files when a juvenile’s record is expunged in court. Representative Nielsen offered an amendment limiting the bill’s information‑sharing to incidents on school property during school hours and clarifying teacher liability protections; Nielsen and other backers argued the narrower scope protects minors’ broader judicial confidentiality while still informing relevant staff.

Members debated balancing teacher and student safety against risks of stigmatizing youth; proponents stressed administrative discretion and confidentiality safeguards. After adopting amendments, the House completed floor action and referred the amended bill to the Senate.

The bill leaves implementation details to local administrators and the State Board of Education’s rulemaking, and sponsors indicated they will work with school officials to craft necessary guidance.