House Bill 245

AN ACT TO CREATE THE SCHOOL VIOLENCE PREVENTION ACT OF 2015 RELATING TO ACTS OF CYBERBULLYING; TO STIPULATE WHAT CONSTITUTES CYBERBULLYING THROUGH THE USE OF A COMPUTER OR OTHER ELECTRONIC MEDIA; TO PRESCRIBE PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS OF THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT RELATING TO THE CRIME OF CYBERBULLYING IN GENERAL AND THE CRIME OF CYBERBULLYING OF A SCHOOL EMPLOYEE BY A STUDENT; TO ALLOW FOR THE EXPUNCTION OF A CHARGE AGAINST A STUDENT FOR THE ACT OF CYBERBULLYING UPON THE FULFILLMENT OF TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE PENALTY IMPOSED BY A COURT OR IF THE ACT IS DISMISSED OR DISCHARGED; TO PROVIDE THAT NO WARRANT FOR ARREST, ORDER FOR ARREST, CRIMINAL SUMMONS OR OTHER CRIMINAL PROCESS SHALL BE ISSUED BY A MAGISTRATE AGAINST A SCHOOL EMPLOYEE FOR OFFENSES THAT OCCURRED WHILE THE SCHOOL EMPLOYEE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF DISCHARGING HIS OR HER DUTIES OF EMPLOYMENT, WITHOUT THE PRIOR WRITTEN APPROVAL OF THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY; TO ALLOW THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY TO DECLINE THE AUTHORITY TO REQUEST THE ISSUANCE OF A WARRANT FOR ARREST, ORDER FOR ARREST, CRIMINAL SUMMONS OR OTHER CRIMINAL PROCESS BY TRANSMITTING A LETTER SO INDICATING TO THE CHIEF DISTRICT COURT JUDGE; TO REQUIRE THE CHIEF DISTRICT COURT JUDGE UPON RECEIPT OF A LETTER FROM THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY DECLINING THE SUCH AUTHORITY TO APPOINT A MAGISTRATE OR MAGISTRATES TO REVIEW ANY APPLICATION FOR A WARRANT FOR ARREST, ORDER FOR ARREST, CRIMINAL SUMMONS OR OTHER CRIMINAL PROCESS AGAINST A SCHOOL EMPLOYEE; TO AMEND SECTION 37-11-57, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE IMMUNITY FROM CIVIL AND CRIMINAL LIABILITY TO SCHOOL EMPLOYEES WHO TAKE REASONABLE ACTIONS IN GOOD FAITH TO END A FIGHT OR ALTERCATION BETWEEN STUDENTS; TO PREVENT THE LOCAL SCHOOL BOARD FROM REPRIMANDING OR DISMISSING A SCHOOL EMPLOYEE FOR ACTING OR FAILING TO ACT TO STOP OR INTERVENE IN AN ALTERCATION BETWEEN STUDENTS IF THE EMPLOYEE'S ACTIONS ARE CONSISTENT WITH LOCAL SCHOOL BOARD POLICIES; TO BRING FORWARD SECTIONS 37-11-67 AND 37-11-69, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, FOR THE PURPOSE OF POSSIBLE AMENDMENT; TO AMEND SECTION 97-45-1, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO INCLUDE ADDITIONAL TERMS AND DEFINITIONS IN THE PROVISION RELATED TO COMPUTER CRIMES; TO AMEND SECTION 37-9-69, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REQUIRE THE PRINCIPAL TO IMMEDIATELY REPORT CERTAIN ACTS OF WHICH HE OR SHE HAS PERSONAL KNOWLEDGE OR ACTUAL NOTICE FROM SCHOOL PERSONNEL TO THE APPROPRIATE LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY; TO REQUIRE THE PRINCIPAL OR THE PRINCIPAL'S DESIGNEE TO NOTIFY THE SUPERINTENDENT OR THE SUPERINTENDENT'S DESIGNEE IN WRITING OR BY ELECTRONIC MAIL REGARDING ANY REPORT MADE TO LAW ENFORCEMENT BY THE END OF THE WORKDAY IN WHICH THE INCIDENT OCCURRED; TO AMEND SECTION 37-15-15, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE FOR THE TRANSFER OR REASSIGNMENT OF STUDENTS CONVICTED OF CYBERBULLYING IN ANOTHER SCHOOL IN THE DISTRICT OR IN AN ALTERNATIVE SCHOOL PROGRAM; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

In the House of Representatives

• Bobby Moak

  Sponsor

l9n doesn't hold this bill's text yet.

In the House of Representatives Jan 12 – Feb 3

1. Jan 12Referred to the House committees on Education and on Judiciary B
2. Feb 3Died in committee in the House