Southern Legislation Introduction Thread - 2018

[Senator Spark]

School Methods Act

Section 1. Definitions

i. The title of the act shall be the "School Methods Act"
ii. A "student" is defined as any person enrolled in an elementary school or institution of learning with a specified curriculum
iii. "Student portfolios" are student work that is compiled over a period of time subject to evaluation by schools or outside groups such as the community to maintain independent and unbiased record reviews

Section 2. Procedures

1) Schools can elect to utilize a portfolio based assessment system to evaluate students on an individualized basis

2) Portfolio based assessment will be conducted by assessing student performance over an extended period of time

3) A scoring guide will be used to compare student learning records

4) Random sampling of student records will be reviewed by outside groups such as teachers and community administrators to ensure that students are meeting requisite standards of performance according to federal laws

[Senator Spark]

School Bullying Prevention Act

Section 1. Definitions and Descriptions

A. "Bullying" is defined as an intentional pattern of intimidating behavior that takes place over a period of time on or off school property including a school bus or school-affiliated trip
B. "Cyberbullying" is defined as any act that is written, verbal, physical, or electronic acts that are reasonably motivated by a characteristic of a student, and if the characteristic falls within the below, it may constitute bullying.
C. A pattern of behavior can inflict the following to the afflicted student:
i. Places a student in reasonable fear of harm to his or her person and to that of his or her property
ii. Have the effect of interfering with the educational opportunity or performance of the student
iii. Have the effect of impeding orderly operations of the school, regardless of where the act was committed
D. Creates a hostile environment for the school

Section 2. Prohibited conduct and measures

A. No student shall engage in forms of bullying on or off school property which include school transportation or school affiliated events
B. No person shall engage in retaliation or false accusations against a victim, witness, or other person who has a reliable account of the event
C. Any student, or parent/guardian, who is the recipient of bullying may file a complaint outlining its details, on a form by the local school board, and submit the form to the designated official
i. A procedure to be established for a prompt investigation of student conduct
ii. Description of behavior expected by each student
iii. Procedure for reporting
iv. Response procedure established for a school to follow upon confirmation of the event
iv. Detailed list of series of consequences for any student who commits an act of intimidation, bullying, harassment, or violence, this includes the student being subject to criminal penalties

Section 3. Disciplinary action

A. Any student who was the perpetrator of an act of bullying can be reprimanded by the associated school and local school board
i. This may include expulsion, renewable suspensions by the school and monetary fines to be paid by the parent or legal guardians
ii.

Section 4. Resources

A. Any student who was the victim of bullying must be monitored by the appropriate school principal
i. Access to counseling need be instated subsequent to an act of bullying being confirmed
ii. Monitoring of student academic and social performance to prevent isolation or self destructive behaviors

[Senator Spark]

Inmate Resources Act

Section 1 - Definitions and goals

A. The title of this legislation shall be the "Inmate Resources Act".
i. The purpose of this legislation is to address overcrowding in jails and correctional institutions
ii. This act will provide transitional services including mental health, substances abuse treatments, counseling, health care, employment, and housing supports
iii. Goal of this act is to reduce recidivism within our criminal justice system

Section 2 - Circumstances and penalties

A. An inmate may be released from jail if he or she is found guilty and convicted of a non-violent offense on their person such as a small amount marijuana possession of <30 grams
i. This act does not extend to transportation such as vehicles including automobiles
ii. If a person if found to have possessed marijuana, he or she will serve a sentence of community service for up to 6 months instead of being incarcerated
iii. Federal law still applies due to superseding over this legislation

[Senator Spark]

Restructured Sentencing for Sex Offenders Act

Section 1

A. The title of this act is "Restructed Sentencing for Sex Offenders Act"
i. This act shall relate to criminal procedure only

B. When sentencing a person convicted of a criminal offense for which there is a minimum sentence of imprisonment, the court may depart from the applicable sentence if the court finds substantial and compelling reasons on the record, after giving due regard to the nature of the crime, history, and character of the defendant presented in court
i. If a person is convicted of a criminal offense such as rape, unlawful contact, or indecent assault relating to minors, the minimum sentence is still applicable and may be maximized

C. The court shall have the discretion to depart from the applicable mandatory minimum sentence of imprisonment and may have the option to impose maximum sentences on convictions for criminal offenses under the following circumstances:
1. The offense for which the defendant was convicted involved the corruption of minors, indecent assault relating to minors, or rape
2. The offense for which the defendant was convicted involved the use of a firearm

[Senator Spark]

Educational Opportunity Act

Section 1. Higher Education scholarship awards are only to be limited to naturalized citizens
Section 2. Immigrants who are not naturalized citizens are not eligible for state financial aid assistance
Section 3. Citizens below poverty line are eligible for doubled amount of financial aid awarded

[Senator Spark]

Educational Advancement Act

Section 1. Instates mandatory pre-K education in the Southern region
1. Funding may be appropriated from the budget for pre-K programs at the discretion of the Southern Governor
2. Funding is to be a percentage stipulated, approved specifically for pre-kindergarten education

Section 2. Students must meet specific district requirements for reading and math before kindergarten
1. In order to enter kindergarten, children must meet literacy requirements expected

[Senator Spark]

Security in Schools Act

Section 1. Each school in the Southern region is to provide security guards at institutions of learning
1. The security guard will be an employee of the specific school and must be salaried
2. Funding for training and weaponry will be supplied by the state

Section 2. Metal detectors to be installed at entrances of schools
1. Monthly searches of lockers are to be conducted by school guards for drug paraphernalia and weapons

Section 3. Active shooter protocols to be implemented and/or upgraded for school safety
1. Training provided to teachers in event of emergency
2. Security guards to work in coordination with local law enforcement