Youngstown Times

The Ohio House of Representatives has passed House Bill 206, a piece of legislation aimed at enhancing the safety and protection of students and staff in schools. This announcement was made by State Representative Monica Robb Blasdel from Columbiana.

The bill allows school boards to implement policies enabling superintendents to expel students for up to 180 days if they pose an imminent and severe danger to others' health and safety. Blasdel explained the motivation behind the bill: "After joining the General Assembly almost two years ago, I had a conversation with the parent of a student at one of the schools in my district; she expressed her concerns about a student who had been expelled from school but was set to be readmitted back into the district without any type of assessment."

The legislation outlines specific threats that qualify as "imminent and severe endangerment." These include bringing weapons capable of causing serious harm onto school property or events, committing criminal acts resulting in significant harm, making bomb threats, or issuing threats that would lead someone to reasonably conclude there is a serious risk.

Superintendents are required to establish conditions for a student's return, which must involve an assessment by an agreed-upon psychiatrist or licensed psychologist. If conditions are not met after the expulsion period, the superintendent can extend it by up to 90 days, with no limit on extensions.

House Bill 206 will now move to the Senate for further evaluation.