HOUSE BILL 490

50th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2011

INTRODUCED BY

Joseph Cervantes

AN ACT

RELATING TO PUBLIC SCHOOLS; REQUIRING SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO INCLUDE IN THEIR DISCIPLINE POLICIES OR TO CREATE CODES OF CONDUCT FOR PARENTS ON SCHOOL GROUNDS OR AT SCHOOL- OR NEW-MEXICO-ATHLETIC-ASSOCIATION-SPONSORED EVENTS AND FOR BEHAVIOR RELATED TO THEIR CHILDREN'S BEHAVIOR; CREATING A CRIME; PRESCRIBING PENALTIES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO:

     SECTION 1. A new section of the Public School Code is enacted to read:

     "[NEW MATERIAL] SCHOOL CODES OF CONDUCT FOR PARENTS--ENCOURAGING VIOLENCE--MISDEMEANOR.--

          A. Each school district shall adopt as part of its school discipline policies or as separate parental codes of conduct the expectations of the school district and public schools as to appropriate parental behavior on school grounds or at school- or New-Mexico-athletic-association-sponsored events. Parents are expected to behave civilly to students, teachers, other public school staff, other parents and any other people on school grounds or at school- or New-Mexico-athletic-association-sponsored events. In addition to any other penalty under law, a parent who assaults or batters a student, including the parent's child; a teacher or other school employee; another parent; or anyone else on school grounds or at a New-Mexico-athletic-association-sponsored event shall be barred from the school grounds or any New Mexico athletic association-sponsored event for a period of time specified by the local superintendent or the association.

          B. A parent shall not encourage the parent's child to engage in violence against another student, a teacher or other public school employee, another parent or any other person. A parent who encourages the parent's child to engage in violence against another student, a public school employee, another parent or any other person is guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be sentenced as provided in Section 31-19-1 NMSA 1978. As used in this subsection, "violence" means assault or battery.

          C. The department, with the assistance of the New Mexico coalition of school administrators, shall develop a model parental code of conduct for local school boards."