Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Hb135 School Notification topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
House approves bill to allow law enforcement to notify school districts about students arrested for violent offenses
Summary
First Substitute House Bill 135 authorizes law enforcement to notify a student's school superintendent when a student is taken into custody for weapons violations or violent crimes and requires notice of detention‑hearing outcomes; the House passed the measure 69–0 after amending the notification window from five to three days.
Representative Lawrence introduced First Substitute House Bill 135, saying the measure would permit law enforcement to notify school district superintendents when a student is taken into custody for two narrowly defined reasons: weapons violations or violent crime. The substitute also requires that detention‑hearing outcomes (for example, whether a student was retained in detention) be reported back to the superintendent or principal. Lawrence said the change closes an anonymity loophole for students who commit violent acts after school hours and gives school administrators information to address safety concerns.
Members questioned liability and timing. Representative Lockhart asked whether the bill creates civil‑liability exposure; Lawrence said the bill's revised language follows pending Senate language on intergovernmental immunity and that the new wording would cover civil as well as criminal suits, and that criminal immunity language had been intentionally used. Representative Holdaway moved to amend the existing five‑day transmission requirement to three days to reduce the delay between law enforcement notice and school notification; the motion passed and the bill was amended accordingly.
Representative Jones and others said principals had requested the change to better protect students and staff. After summation, First Substitute HB 135 passed the House 69–0 and will be forwarded to the Senate.
