Section 16-1-24

Reporting of property damage and physical assaults on students and school personnel; legislative intent; penalties.

(a) For purposes of this section, the following words and phrases shall have the following respective meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

(1) INCIDENT. Any act of physical violence, with or without a weapon, trespass, vandalism, or property damage which occurs.

a. On school property; or

b. During school activities, on or off school property; or

c. At any other times when such incident can be reasonably related to school functions.

(2) PRINCIPAL. The principal or top administrator of any public elementary, junior or senior high school at which the incident occurred.

(3) SUPERINTENDENT OF EDUCATION. The superintendent of the county or city board of education in the county in which the school is located.

(4) REPORT. A written narrative report of an incident, the number and names and addresses of persons involved in the incident, the type of any weapon involved and a description of any injury or damage resulting from the incident. Said report shall contain the names and addresses of all known persons present at the time of said incident.

(5) TEACHER AND OTHER SCHOOL EMPLOYEE. An employee of any public elementary, junior or senior high school at which the incident occurred.

(6) SCHOOL BOARD. The board of education.

(7) COUNTY SHERIFF. The sheriff of the county in which the public school is located.

(b) It is the intention of the Legislature by passage of the section to require principals, teachers and other school employees of public elementary, junior and senior high schools to make reports of violent disruptive incidents occurring on school property during school hours or during school activities conducted on or off school property after school hours or at any other time when such incident can be reasonably related to school or school functions and to provide for penalties for failure to report such incidents.

(c) Principals shall file a report within 72 hours with the superintendent of education of any incident of which they have knowledge. A copy of the report shall also be furnished members of the school board and the county sheriff by the superintendent of education.

(d) Teachers and other school employees shall immediately report to the principal any incident of which they have knowledge. Said teacher and employee shall assist the principal in the preparation of the report required under subsection (c) of this section.

(e) Any superintendent of education, principal, teacher, or employee who violates the provisions of this section by failure to file a required report shall be guilty of a Class C misdemeanor.

(Acts 1982, No. 82-515, p. 849, §§1-5.)