CS/CS/CS/CS/SB 1540--Zero-tolerance policies/ schools.

The bill requires district school boards to revise their zero-tolerance policies to: define petty misconduct and offenses that pose a serious threat to school safety; clarify that zero-tolerance policies do not require the reporting of petty misconduct and certain misdemeanors to a law enforcement agency; provide for a review of the disciplinary action taken against a student pursuant to [section]1006.07, F.S.; and consider the particular circumstances surrounding the student's misbehavior in any disciplinary or prosecutorial action. The bill requires cooperative agreements to specify guidelines for reporting and enforcing no contact orders and protecting the victim. Finally, the bill requires a district school board having a policy authorizing corporal punishment to review the policy every three years during a public school board meeting. If the meeting does not occur, the corporal punishment policy expires. These provisions were approved by the Governor and take effect June 30, 2009. Ch. 09-53, L.O.F.