Delinquency Bills Sent To Governor

Three bills aimed at increasing law and order in Idaho’s schools cleared the House easily Wednesday and were sent to the governor for signature.

One would require expulsion of a student caught with a firearm. The second would deny expelled students the right to enroll in another Idaho public school before their expulsion is up.

The third bill would authorize a school superintendent to extend a temporary suspension by a principal from five to 10 days.

Rep. Carol Pietsch, D-Sandpoint, who presented the third bill, said five days isn’t always enough time for school officials to decide whether to expel a student.

Pietsch said she thought those bills, the establishment of a new department of juvenile corrections and other related legislation passed this session showed that lawmakers have “really focused on what’s happening to our young people.”