HCS HB 317 Ostmann, Cindy et al

C O M M I T T E E

HCS HB 317 -- JUVENILE OFFENSES

SPONSOR: Smith

COMMITTEE ACTION: Voted "do pass" by the Committee on Science, Technology and Critical Issues by a vote of 11 to 5.

This substitute requires new pupils to register in a school district accompanied by a parent or guardian or provide an affidavit stating the reasons why the parent cannot accompany the pupil. The parent, guardian, or the pupil must provide a form of proof that the pupil is eligible to register in the district.

A hardship or good cause is basis for a waiver to be granted by the district board, and an adverse decision is appealable by an aggrieved party. Any person submitting false information in satisfying any of the registration requirements is guilty of making a false affidavit. The school board may institute a civil action to recover costs of education for any pupil whose registration was based on false information. Written reciprocity agreements between school districts are allowed. The registration requirements will not apply to a homeless child, as defined by the substitute.

Any public elementary or secondary school must comply with a request to forward a copy of a transferring student's record to the new school.

The substitute also establishes the crime of theft of education services as a class B misdemeanor if the value of services unlawfully obtained is greater than $150 and otherwise, as a class C misdemeanor. Theft of education services is defined in the substitute. Exceptions are made to this definition where lawful arrangements are made for the receipt of education services outside the school district of residence.

FISCAL NOTE: Not available at time of this printing.

PROPONENTS: Supporters say that the bill allows the school districts that receive the transferring pupils to become aware of any disciplinary problems, prior felonies, gang activities, or drug involvements.

Testifying for the bill were Representative Ostmann; Police Chief Kernan, O'Fallon, Missouri; and Dave Buehrle, Lead Officer of the Great Program/Dare Program of O'Fallon.

OPPONENTS: There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Michael Warrick, Research Analyst