INDIANAPOLIS -
A new proposal would allow schools to punish students for their actions, even away from school property.
It is something that most high school age kids or their parents think about, but getting into trouble can be part of the growing up experience. Most high school age students, like Sahil Sanghani of Carmel know there are consequences.
"I mean we are not tried as adults yet, so, I mean, there should be consequences, but we should not be kicked out of school," Sanghani said.
The long arm of the law, specifically one being handed to schools by the Indiana General Assembly, could be reaching right into lives of students. Under current Indiana law, schools are within their right to suspend or expel a student for unlawful activities when at school or on school property. But this proposed law would broaden their reach to off-school property and during weekends, holidays and even summer break.
The proposal has some parents and even teachers concerned about the liability schools could have thrust upon them and feel the law needs some clarification.
What is meant by an "activity" being one of the main concerns. Emily Hill, a teacher that lives in Carmel, also expressed some concern about policing students off school grounds, when they are presumably in the care of parents or legal guardians.
"I think that is kind of a hard call to make when it's off school property," says Hill. "It is kind of hard to make when it is off school property. I know there are issues with bullying, with social media, I think the issue becomes 'How do you monitor it? How do you enforce it?'"
House Bill 1169 passed out of the Committee on Education on January 25 and is headed to the full House floor for a vote.
