Amends TCA Title 49, Chapter 1; Title 49, Chapter 2 and Title 49, Chapter 6.

This bill requires each local board of education and public charter school governing body to adopt a comprehensive code of conduct for each school under their authority that describes the types of behavior expected from persons entering on school grounds, including teachers, school employees, students' parents, and visitors. The adopted codes of conduct must describe the types of behavior expected from a person entering on school grounds and the consequences of a person's failure to adhere to the standards. The principal of each school must apply the school's code of conduct uniformly and fairly without partiality or discrimination. Each code of conduct must emphasize the importance of appropriate language, respect for the person and property of others, and establishing and maintaining a safe, secure, and peaceful educational setting that promotes learning and positive character development.<br /> <br /> This bill authorizes each local board of education and public charter school governing body to elect to adopt different codes of conduct applicable to different classes of schools (such as elementary, middle, junior high, and senior high schools under their jurisdiction) and different categories of persons entering on school grounds (such as teachers, school employees, students' parents, and visitors), taking into consideration the reason for the person's presence on school grounds.<br /> <br /> REQUIRED ACTIONS BY LOCAL BOARD OR PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL<br /> <br /> This bill requires each local board of education and public charter school governing body to do the following: <br /> <br /> (1) Post a copy of the code of conduct adopted for the school on the respective LEA's, public charter school governing body's, or school's website;<br /> <br /> (2) Supply a copy of the code of conduct adopted for the school to all teachers, counselors, administrative staff, and employees of the school;<br /> <br /> (3) Post the code of conduct adopted for the school, along with the telephone number of a member of the school's administration who can answer questions regarding the school's code of conduct, prominently at each school entrance; and<br /> <br /> (4) Provide parents and guardians of students enrolled at the school with a printed copy of the school's code of conduct, along with the telephone number of a member of the school's administration who can answer questions regarding the code of conduct, and require that the student's parent or guardian acknowledge that the parent or guardian has read and understands the code of conduct that will be enforced at the school. The acknowledgement required under this bill may also be provided during an initial enrollment or student registration period.<br /> <br /> EXEMPTION<br /> <br /> Present law requires each local board of education and charter school governing body to adopt a discipline policy to apply to the students in each school operated by the LEA or charter school governing body. This bill does not apply to students who are subject to a local board of education or charter school governing body’s discipline policy or code of conduct. <br />