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Ohio students who make threats could face expulsion
By Marc Kovac
COLUMBUS
Students who post threatening messages on social- media sites or who offer such comments in casual conversations could face expulsion, under legislation approved this week by the Ohio House.
House Bill 334 passed on a vote of 70-27 and heads to the Ohio Senate for further consideration.
The bill would permit school officials to expel students and require counseling in cases where threats are made. The expulsions would last up to 180 days initially, with affected students returning sooner if they are no longer a danger to themselves or others. Schools also would have to make arrangements for affected students’ continued education during their forced absence.
Existing state law allows up to 80 days of expulsion for such threats, with no requirements for counseling.
Rep. Bill Hayes, R-Licking County, a primary co-sponsor of the legislation, said students, under current law, can make threats that fall short of actual criminal activity, and schools have no recourse to prevent potential incidents.
Rep. Jay Hottinger, R-Newark, added, “The bill is another tool we can give our schools to help protect kids and our school personnel before a bad act occurs, not after the damage has already been done.”
A number of Democrats in the chamber opposed the bill, questioning whether it would lead to long-term expulsions that aren’t necessary.
“There is no evidence that removing a troubled or dangerous child from the school environment is an effective intervention to preserve or promote school safety,” said Rep. Teresa Fedor, D-Toledo.