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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2017 - 2018
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | March 20, 2018 09:46 AM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Morgan Cephas |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Expungement of Student Disciplinary Records for Nonviolent Offenses |
| In the near future, I plan on introducing legislation that would amend the Public School Code to allow school districts the ability to expunge student suspension records for nonviolent offenses upon the completion of community service or a resource-based alternative and if the student exhibits good behavior over a period of time, as to be determined by the school district. Currently, the Unionville-Chadds Ford School District is analyzing their suspension policies after the suspension of approximately 20 students in September of 2017. These suspensions were the result of an incident that occurred at a home football game and were based entirely on hearsay without any evidence of the students’ wrongdoing. Due to the backlash from the community, the Unionville-Chadds Ford school board has since held a series of hearings to decide a new suspension policy for their district, and I believe Pennsylvania should follow their lead. My proposal would allow students to apply to the post-secondary institution of their choice without the fear of rejection based on a minor infraction committed in their youth. I believe this legislation will level the playing field for all students and give them each an equal opportunity to graduate with a clean slate and a second chance. Please join me in co-sponsoring this important legislation. |
Introduced as HB2210