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Committee releases bill preventing school exclusion for tardiness; debate over dress‑code exceptions
Summary
A1728 was favorably released with committee amendments to bar denying students admission for tardiness or dress-code violations except for clothing indicating gang affiliation tied to criminal activity; members urged broader standards for disruptive or explicit attire.
The Assembly Education Committee voted to release Assembly Bill A1728, which would prohibit public schools, including charter and Renaissance school projects, from denying student admittance because of tardiness or most dress‑code infractions, except when clothing, apparel or accessories clearly indicate gang membership associated with criminal activities.
Multiple advocates filed slips in favor of the bill. During committee discussion, one member with school administration experience said she supported the tardiness provision but worried the bill’s narrow gang exception could leave schools unable to address clothing that is lewd, violent, drug‑promoting, or otherwise highly disruptive. She raised practical concerns about where a student who arrived in inappropriate clothing would be placed if not sent home.
Another member said schools rarely send children home over uniform infractions, but recommended that the bill not strip schools of reasonable discretion to address serious disruptions. Two members indicated they would abstain on the motion to amend and release while others voted yes; the measure was favorably released with committee amendments.
The sponsor said the bill is a work in progress and will be adjusted to respond to members’ concerns about scope and implementation.
