student rights in delaware

Bullying, Harrassment, and Hazing

Gang-related Activities

Search and Seizure

Restraint and Seclusion

Dating/Relationship Violence

Appropriate Grounds for Suspension/Expulsion

No regulations; under Federal Law:

Bullying, Harrassment, and Hazing

Bullying, Harassment, or Hazing

LAWS
14 Del.C. §402. Definitions.
For the purposes of this chapter, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

(2) "Good cause" means a change in a child's residence due to a change in family residence, a change in the state in which the family residence is located, a change in a child's parent's marital status, a change caused by a guardianship proceeding, placement of a child in foster care, adoption, participation by a child in a foreign exchange program, a reported, recorded, and substantiated instance of "bullying" against their child as defined in § 4161 of this title, or participation by a child in a substance abuse or mental health treatment program, or a set of circumstances consistent with this definition of "good cause."

14 Del.C. §407. Duration of enrollment in receiving district.

(a)(2) A pupil accepted for enrollment in a school or program pursuant to this chapter shall remain enrolled therein for a minimum of 2 years unless, during that 2-year period,

g. The pupil's parents or guardians wish to terminate the agreement due to a reported, recorded, and substantiated instance of "bullying" against their child as defined in §4161 of this title.

14 Del.C. §4112A. Office of School Criminal Offense and Bullying Ombudsperson.

(a) There is hereby established within the State Department of Justice, the Office of School Criminal Offense and Bullying Ombudsperson.

(b) The purpose of the Ombudsperson is to ensure the proper administration of the school criminal offense reporting law contained in § 4112 of this title and the school bullying prevention law contained in § 4164 of this title.

(1) Investigate and seek to resolve complaints made by and concerns of members of the public, school officials, and pupils regarding criminal offenses and incidents of bullying committed on school property;

(2) Investigate complaints regarding the alleged failure of school officials to report criminal offenses as required under § 4112 of this title and incidents of bullying as required under § 4164 of this title;

(3) Establish policies and procedures for eliciting, receiving, investigating, verifying, and resolving complaints; and

(4) Perform such other acts as are necessary to carry out the purpose set forth in subsection (b) of this section.

14 Del.C. §4112B. Ombudsperson access.

(b) The Ombudsperson may initiate an investigation of any criminal offense committed on school property or any incident of bullying independent of the receipt of a specific complaint.

14 Del.C. §4161. Definitions.

For purposes of this subchapter:

(1) "Bullying" means any intentional written, electronic, verbal, or physical act against another student, a school district or charter school volunteer, or a school district or charter school employee that a reasonable person under the circumstances should know will have any of the following effects:

a. Place a student, school district or charter school volunteer, or school district or charter school employee in reasonable fear of substantial harm to the student's, volunteer's, or employee's emotional or physical well-being or substantial damages to the student's, volunteer's, or employee's property.

b. Create a hostile, threatening, humiliating, or abusive educational environment due to the pervasiveness or persistence of actions or due to a power differential between the bully and the target.

c. Interfere with a student having a safe school environment that is necessary to facilitate educational performance, opportunities, or benefits.

d. Perpetuate bullying by inciting, soliciting, or coercing an individual or group to demean, dehumanize, embarrass, or cause emotional, psychological, or physical harm to another student, school district or charter school volunteer, or school district or charter school employee.

14 Del.C. §4162. Child safety awareness, prevention, and other nonacademic trainings.

(a) Each school district and charter school shall require its employees to receive 12.5 hours of training every 3 years consisting of all of the following:

(2) Three hours of a school bullying prevention and criminal youth gang detection training program established under § 4164(a) of this title.

14 Del.C. §4164. School bullying awareness and prevention; criminal youth gang detection.

(a) School bullying prevention and criminal youth gang detection training program. - The Department of Justice and the Department of Education, in collaboration with law-enforcement agencies, the Delaware State Education Association, the Delaware School Boards Association, and the Delaware Association of School Administrators, shall identify and maintain a school bullying prevention and criminal youth gang detection training program for school district and charter school employees.

(b) Prohibition of bullying. -
(1) Each school district and charter school shall prohibit bullying and reprisal, retaliation, or false accusation against a target, witness,or one with reliable information about an act of bullying.

(2) Each school district and charter school shall establish a policy which, at a minimum, includes the following components:

a. A statement prohibiting bullying of any person on school property or at school functions or by use of data or computer software that is accessed through a computer, computer system, computer network, or other electronic technology of a school district or charter school from kindergarten through grade 12. For purposes of this section, "school property" and "school functions" mean as defined in § 4112 of this title.

b. A definition of bullying no less inclusive than that in § 4161 of this title. c. Direction to develop a school-wide bullying prevention program.

d. A requirement that each school establish a site-based committee that is responsible for coordinating the school's bully prevention program including the design, approval, and monitoring of the program. A majority of the members of the site-based committee must be members of the school professional staff, of which a majority must be instructional staff. The committee also shall contain representatives of the administrative staff, support staff, student body (for a school enrolling students in grades 7 through 12), parents, and staff from the before- or after-school program or programs. These representatives shall be chosen by members of each respective group, except that the school principal shall appoint the representatives of the nonemployee groups. The committee shall operate on a 1-person, 1-vote principle. If a site-based school discipline committee has been established under § 1605(7)a. and b. of this title, that committee shall vote whether to accept the responsibilities of this paragraph (b)(2)d.

e. A requirement that any school district or charter school employee that has reliable information that would lead a reasonable person to suspect that a person is a target of bullying must immediately report it to the administration.

f. A requirement that each school have a procedure for the administration to promptly investigate in a timely manner and determine whether bullying has occurred, and that such procedure include investigation of such instances, including a determination of whether the target of the bullying was targeted or reports being targeted wholly or in part due to the target's race, age, marital status, creed, religion, color, sex, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or national origin. This subsection does not preclude schools from identifying other reasons or criteria why a person is a target of bullying.

g. A requirement that, to the extent that funding is available, each school develop a plan for a system of supervision in nonclassroom areas. The plan must provide for the review and exchange of information regarding nonclassroom areas.

h. An identification of an appropriate range of consequences for bullying.

i. A procedure for a student or parent to provide information on bullying activity. However, this paragraph does not permit formal disciplinary action solely based on an anonymous report.

j. A requirement that a parent of any target of bullying or perpetrator of bullying be notified and provided with a form to be generated by the Department of Justice describing the role of the Department of Justice School Ombudsman and providing contact information. This form must also inform a parent of the parent's right to know when the bullying incident in question has been reported to the Department of Education under paragraph (b)(2)k. of this section.

k. A requirement that all reported incidents of bullying, regardless of whether the school could substantiate the incident, be reported to the Department of Education within 5 working days under

Department of Education regulations. The school shall notify a parent of all students involved in the reported incident when the report is made.

l. A statement prohibiting retaliation following a report of bullying.

m. A procedure for communication between school staff members and medical professionals who are involved in treating students for bullying issues.

n. A requirement that the school bullying prevention program be implemented throughout the year, and integrated with the school's discipline policies and § 4112 of this title.

(1) Each school district and charter school shall adopt the policy consistent with subsection (b) of this section and submit a copy to the Department of Education by January 1 of each year, or by January 1 of a newly approved charter school's first year of operation. For purposes of this paragraph, "submit" includes providing access to the policy via the school district's or charter school's website. Each school district and charter school shall submit a revised policy to the Department of Education within 30 calendar days of a school district's or charter school's revision. The Department of Education shall review a policy or a revised policy submitted under this paragraph for compliance with state and federal law.

(2) Each school district and charter school shall include the policy adopted under subsection (b) of this section in the student and staff handbook. If no handbook is available, or if it is not practical to reprint new handbooks, each school district and charter school shall distribute a copy of the policy annually to all students, parents, faculty, and staff. Each school district and charter school shall provide the telephone number of the Department of Justice School Ombudsperson in writing to parents, students, faculty, and staff and provide the telephone number on the school district's or charter school's website and the website of each school in the school district. Each school district shall prominently display the telephone number of the Department of Justice School Ombudsperson in each school in the school district. Each charter school shall prominently display the telephone number of the Department of Justice School Ombudsperson in the school.

(3) [Repealed.]

(4) The Department of Education shall prepare an annual report, which must include a summary of all reported and all substantiated incidences of bullying, a summary of the information gathered under paragraph (b)(2)f. of this section, and the results of audits conducted under paragraph (d)(4) of this section. The Department shall post the report required by this subsection on its website.

(d) Duties of the Department of Education. -

(1) The Department of Education shall collaborate with the Department of Justice to identify and maintain a model policy that is applicable to kindergarten through grade 12, and post this policy, along with the contact information for the School Ombudsperson, on their websites in order to assist the school districts and charter schools. In addition, the Department of Education shall promulgate a uniform cyberbullying policy, which shall be based upon a model prepared by the Department of Justice and public comment upon that model. Each school district and charter school shall adopt the Department's uniform cyberbullying policy within 90 days of the policy becoming final.

(2) Distribution of the Comprehensive School Discipline Improvement Program funds to a school district and charter school provided in the General Appropriations Act starting in fiscal year 2009 and thereafter is contingent upon Department of Education approval of the school district's or charter school's bullying prevention policy.

(3) To the extent that funding is available, the Department of Education shall provide for an award system for schools with exemplary programs based on criteria promulgated by the Department.

(4) The Department of Education shall conduct random audits of schools to insure compliance with paragraphs (b)(2)i. and (b)(2)k. of this section. The Department shall report the results of these audits annually in the report required by paragraph (c)(4) of this section.

(e) Immunity. - A school district or charter school employee, school district or charter school volunteer, or student is individually immune from a cause of action for damages arising from reporting bullying in good faith and to the appropriate person using the procedures specified in the school district's or charter school's bullying prevention policy, but there is no such immunity if the act of reporting constituted gross negligence or reckless, wilfull, or intentional conduct.

(f) Other defenses. -

(1) The physical location or time of access of a technology-related incident is not a valid defense in any disciplinary action by the school district or charter school initiated under this section provided there is sufficient school nexus.

(2) This section does not apply to any person who uses data or computer software that is accessed through a computer, computer system, computer network, or other electronic technology when acting within the scope of that person's lawful employment or investigation of a violation of this section in accordance with school district or charter school policy.

(g) Relationship to reporting requirements. - An incident may meet the definition of bullying and also the definition of a particular crime under state or federal law. Nothing in this section or in the policies promulgated as a result of this section prevents school officials from fulfilling all of the reporting requirements of § 4112 of this title or from reporting probable crimes that occur on school property or at a school function which are not required to be reported under § 4112 of this title. Nothing in this section abrogates the reporting requirements for child abuse or sexual abuse set forth in Chapter 9 of Title 16 or any other reporting requirement under state or federal law.

14 Del.C. §9301. Short title.

This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "Anti-Hazing Law."

14 Del.C. §9302. Definitions.

The following words and phrases when used in this chapter shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Hazing" means any action or situation which recklessly or intentionally endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student or which wilfully destroys or removes public or private property for the purpose of initiation or admission into or affiliation with, or as a condition for continued membership in, any organization operating under the sanction of or recognized as an organization by an institution of higher learning. The term shall include, but not be limited to, any brutality of a physical nature, such as whipping, beating, branding, forced calisthenics, exposure to the elements, forced consumption of any food, liquor, drug or other substance, or any other forced physical activity which could adversely affect the physical health and safety of the individual, and shall include any activity which would subject the individual to extreme mental stress, such as sleep deprivation, forced exclusion from social contact, forced conduct which could result in embarrassment, or any other forced activity which could adversely affect the mental health or dignity of the individual, or any wilful destruction or removal of public or private property. For purposes of this definition, any activity as described in this definition upon which the admission or initiation into or affiliation with or continued membership in an organization is directly or indirectly conditioned shall be presumed to be "forced" activity, the willingness of an individual to participate in such activity notwithstanding.

14 Del.C. §9303. Hazing prohibited.

Any person who causes or participates in hazing commits a class B misdemeanor.

14 Del.C. §9304. Enforcement by institution.

(a) Anti-hazing policy. - Each institution shall adopt a written anti-hazing policy and, pursuant to that policy, shall adopt rules prohibiting students or other persons associated with any organization operating under the sanction of or recognized as an organization by the institution from engaging in any activity which can be described as hazing.

(b) Enforcement and penalties. -

(1) Each institution shall provide a program for the enforcement of such rules and shall adopt appropriate penalties for violations of such rules to be administered by the person or agency at the institution responsible for the sanctioning or recognition of such organizations.

(2) Such penalties may include the imposition of fines, the withholding of diplomas or transcripts pending compliance with the rules or pending payment of fines and the imposition of probation, suspension or dismissal.

(3) In the case of an organization which authorizes hazing in blatant disregard of such rules, penalties may also include recision of permission for that organization to operate on campus property or to otherwise operate under the sanction or recognition of the institution.

(4) All penalties imposed under the authority of this section shall be in addition to any penalty imposed for violation of paragraph (b)(3) of this section or any of the criminal laws of this State or for violation of any other institutional rule to which the violator may be subject.

(5) Rules adopted pursuant hereto shall apply to acts conducted on or off campus whenever such acts are deemed to constitute hazing.

REGULATIONS
14 DE Admin. Code §103. Accountability for schools, districts and the state.

7.0 Accountability for Schools that are Under Improvement

7.6.2.4.2.9 Extend learning time and create community-oriented schools, by

7.6.2.4.2.9.3 Implementing approaches to improve school climate and discipline, such as implementing a system of positive behavioral supports or taking steps to eliminate bullying and student harassment.

14 DE Admin. Code §614. Uniform definitions for student conduct which may result in alternative placement or expulsion.

3.0 Uniform Definitions for Student Conduct

The following definitions shall be used whenever a school district or charter school uses such conduct as a basis for alternative placement or expulsion of a student:

"Bullying" means any intentional written, electronic, verbal or physical act or actions against another student, school volunteer or school employee that a reasonable person under the circumstances should know will have the effect of: (1) Placing a student, school volunteer or school employee in reasonable fear of substantial harm to his or her emotional or physical well-being or substantial damage to his or her property; or (2) Creating a hostile, threatening, humiliating or abusive educational environment due to the pervasiveness or persistence of actions or due to a power differential between the bully and the target; or (3) Interfering with a student having a safe school environment that is necessary to facilitate educational performance, opportunities or benefits; or (4) Perpetuating bullying by inciting, soliciting or coercing an individual or group to demean, dehumanize, embarrass or cause emotional, psychological or physical harm to another student, school volunteer or school employee. [...]

"Cyberbullying" means the use of uninvited and unwelcome electronic communication directed at an identifiable student or group of students, through means other than face-to-face interaction, which (1) interferes with a student's physical well-being; or (2) is threatening or intimidating; or (3) is so severe, persistent, or pervasive that it is reasonably likely to limit a student's ability to participate in or benefit from the educational programs of the school district or charter school. Communication shall be considered to be directed at an identifiable student or group of students if it is sent directly to that student or group, or posted in a medium that the speaker knows is likely to be available to a broad audience within the school community. [...]

"Harassment" means any actions or statements made with the intent to harass, annoy, or alarm another person which: A) insults, taunts, or challenges the other person or; B) is a cause of alarming or distressing conduct which serves no legitimate purpose and is done in a manner which the actor knows is likely to provoke a violent or disorderly response or cause a reasonable person to suffer fear, alarm, or distress.

14 DE Admin. Code §624. School district/charter school policy prohibiting cyberbullying.

1.0 Cyberbullying Forbidden

In addition to the policy prohibiting bullying put in place by school districts and charter schools pursuant to 14 Del.C. §§ 4161 and 4164, each school district and charter school shall also prohibit cyberbullying (as defined herein) by students directed at other students. Incidents of cyberbullying shall be treated by each school district and charter school in the same manner as incidents of bullying, and notice of each school district's and charter school's policy against cyberbullying shall be provided to students, staff, and faculty in the same manner as notice of the school district's and charter school's policy against bullying.

2.0 Definition of Cyberbullying

2.1 Cyberbullying means the use of uninvited and unwelcome electronic communication directed at an identifiable student or group of students, through means other than face-to-face interaction, which (1) interferes with a student's physical well-being; or (2) is threatening or intimidating; or (3) is so severe, persistent, or pervasive that it is reasonably likely to limit a student's ability to participate in or benefit from the educational programs of the school district or charter school. Communication shall be considered to be directed at an identifiable student or group of students if it is sent directly to that student or group or posted in a medium that the speaker knows is likely to be available to a broad audience within the school community.

2.2 Whether speech constitutes cyberbullying will be determined from the standpoint of a reasonable student of the same grade and other circumstances as the victim.

2.3 The place of origin of speech otherwise constituting cyberbullying is not material to whether it is considered cyberbullying under this policy, nor is the use of school district or charter school materials.

2.4 Upon implementation of this policy, and again at the beginning of each academic year, each school district and charter school shall inform students in writing of mediums where the posting of speech will be presumed to be available to a broad audience within the school community, regardless of privacy settings or other limitations on those postings. Postings on Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, YouTube, and Pinterest shall be included in each district's and charter school's list of mediums where posting of speech will be presumed to be available to a broad audience within the school community, regardless of privacy settings or other limitations on those postings. Postings on social media sites or forums similar to the enumerated examples above will also be presumed to be available to a broad audience within the school community, regardless of privacy settings or other limitations on those postings.

2.5 Nothing in this policy shall limit in any way a school district's or charter school's ability to regulate student conduct, including bullying, in any manner provided for by existing law, regulation, or policy.

14 DE Admin. Code §1007. DIAA Sportsmanship.

1.2.1.5.1 The School Administrator and Athletic Director shall:

1.2.1.5.1.8 Develop and implement policies for their interscholastic athletic programs to discourage acts of bullying, hazing, and taunting.

14 DE Admin. Code §1150. School transportation.

9.0 Pupil Conduct on School Buses

9.1 Districts and Charter Schools shall have a policy concerning the behavior of Pupils on school buses that shall, at a minimum, contain the following rules which if not followed may result in the suspension or denial of bus riding privileges:

9.1.21 Other forms of misconduct that shall not be tolerated on the bus and at bus stops are acts such as, but not limited to, bullying, indecent exposure, obscene gestures, spitting, and other actions that may be addressed in the District or school code of conduct.

Gang-related Activities

Gang-related Activity

LAWS

14 Del.C. §4162. Child safety awareness, prevention, and other nonacademic trainings.

(a) Each school district and charter school shall require its employees to receive 12.5 hours of training every 3 years consisting of all of the following:

(2) Three hours of a school bullying prevention and criminal youth gang detection training program established under § 4164(a) of this title.

14 Del.C. §4164. School bullying awareness and prevention; criminal youth gang detection.

Search and Seizure

LAWS

14 Del.C. §4119. Metal detectors.

The school board of each school district shall have authority to employ the use of metal detectors, or any other similar security devices, to prevent pupils from bringing dangerous instruments, deadly weapons or any other contraband into the schools. Any school board exercising its authority under this section shall promulgate rules and regulations governing the implementation and use of such security devices.

14 Del.C. §4121. Video cameras on public school property.

The school board of each school district shall have authority to establish and implement programs to use video cameras for surveillance on public school property, including, but not limited to, classrooms, halls, auditoriums, cafeterias, gymnasiums and parking areas, for the purpose of monitoring student behavior to help ensure the safety of students and teachers. However, no video camera shall be used for classroom surveillance, pursuant to this section, unless the principal of the school and the teacher of the classroom consent to the surveillance.

Before exercising its authority under this section, a school board shall promulgate rules and regulations governing the implementation and use of video cameras in classrooms. However, in no event shall video cameras be used at any time or at any location which would violate a student's reasonable expectation of privacy including, but not limited to, locker rooms, areas where students may disrobe and lavatories.

REGULATIONS
14 DE Admin. Code §612. Possession, use or distribution of drugs and alcohol.

3.0 General Provisions

3.1 The following provisions shall apply to all public school district and charter schools:

3.1.2 Student lockers are the property of the school and may be subjected to search at any time with or without reasonable suspicion. [...]

4.0 Requirement of Each School District and Charter School to have a Policy

4.1 Each school district and charter school shall have a policy on file and update it periodically. The policy shall include, at a minimum, the following:

4.1.5 A written policy on search and seizure.

Restraint and Seclusion

LAWS

11 Del.C. §468. Justification - Use of force by persons with special responsibility for care, discipline or safety of others.

The use of force upon or toward the person of another is justifiable if it is reasonable and moderate and:

(2) The defendant is a teacher or a person otherwise entrusted with the care or supervision of a child for a special purpose, and:

a. The defendant believes the force used is necessary to further the special purpose, including the maintenance of reasonable discipline in a school, class or other group, and that the use of force is consistent with the welfare of the child.

14 Del.C. §4112F. Limitations on use of seclusion and restraint.

(a) Definitions. - The following words, terms, and phrases when used in this section, shall have the meaning ascribed to them except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:

(1) "Chemical restraint" means a drug or medication used on a student to control behavior or restrict freedom of movement that is either not medically prescribed for the standard treatment of a student's medical or psychiatric condition or not administered as prescribed.

(2) "Mechanical restraint" means the application of any device or object that restricts a student's freedom of movement or normal access to a portion of the body that the student cannot easily remove. "Mechanical restraint" does not include devices or objects used by trained school personnel, or used by a student, for the specific and approved therapeutic or safety purposes for which they were designed and, if applicable, prescribed, including the following:

a. Restraints for medical immobilization;

b. Adaptive devices or mechanical supports used to allow greater freedom of movement stability than would be possible without use of such devices or mechanical supports;

c. Vehicle safety restraints when used as intended during the transport of a student in a moving vehicle;

d. Instruction and use of restraints as part of a criminal justice or other course; or

e. Notwithstanding their design for other purposes, adaptive use of benign devices or objects, including mittens and caps, to deter self-injury.

(3) "Physical restraint" means a restriction imposed by a person that immobilizes or reduces the ability of a student to freely move arms, legs, body, or head. "Physical restraint" does not include physical contact that:

a. Helps a student respond or complete a task;
b. Is needed to administer an authorized health-related service or procedure; or

c. Is needed to physically escort a student when the student does not resist or the student's resistance is minimal.

(4) "Public school personnel" means an employee or contractor of a public school district or charter school. "Public school personnel" does not include the following:

a. A law-enforcement officer as defined in § 9200(b) of Title 11; or

b. An employee or contractor providing educational services within a Department of Correction or Division of Youth Rehabilitative Services facility.

(5) "Seclusion" means the involuntary confinement of a student alone in a room, enclosure, or space that is either locked or, while unlocked, physically disallows egress. The use of a "timeout" procedure during which a staff member remains accessible to the student shall not be considered "seclusion."

(6) "Timeout" means a behavior management technique in which, to provide a student with the opportunity to reflect or regain self-control, a student is separated from others for a limited period in a setting that is not locked and the exit is not physically blocked by furniture, closed door held shut from outside, or other inanimate object.

(b) Prohibition and restriction on use. -
(1) Public school personnel are prohibited from imposing on any student the following:

a. Chemical restraint; and

b. Subject to waiver authorized pursuant to paragraph (c)(4) of this section, mechanical restraint and seclusion.

(2) Public school personnel may impose physical restraint only in conformity with all of the following standards:

a. The student's behavior presents a significant and imminent risk of bodily harm to self or others;

b. The physical restraint does not interfere with the student's ability to communicate in the student's primary language or mode of communication;

c. The physical restraint does not interfere with the student's ability to breathe or place weight or pressure on the student's head, throat, or neck;

d. The physical restraint does not recklessly exacerbate a medical or physical condition of the student;

e. Less restrictive interventions have been ineffective in stopping the imminent risk of bodily harm to the student or others, except in case of a rare and clearly unavoidable emergency circumstance posing imminent risk of bodily harm, including, without limitation, intervening in a student initiated physical assault or altercation;

f. For a student with a disability as defined in Chapter 31 of this title or 34 C.F.R. Part 104, the physical restraint does not contravene provisions in an individualized education program (IEP), behavior intervention plan, accommodation plan, or any other planning document for the individual student;

g. Personnel use only the amount of force necessary to protect the student or others from the threatened harm;

h. The physical restraint ends when a medical condition occurs putting the student at risk of harm or the student's behavior no longer presents an imminent risk of bodily harm to the student or others;

i. The physical restraint is within the scope of force authorized by § 468 of Title 11; and

j. The physical restraint conforms to applicable regulations promulgated by the Department of Education.

(1) The Department of Education shall promulgate regulations implementing this section. Such regulations shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

a. Requirement of uniform public school data collection on each use of physical restraint, by school, which includes demographic information on affected students such as age, gender, race, ethnicity, and disability category, if any;

b. Requirement of timely parental notice in event of use of physical restraint;

c. Special procedures and safeguards applicable to use of physical restraint for students with disabilities as defined in Chapter 31 of this title or 34 C.F.R. Part 104; and

d. Recommended or required training of public school personnel in implementing this section.

(2) To facilitate data collection and analysis, the Department of Education may adopt a uniform reporting document and may require reporting of data in a standardized electronic or nonelectronic format.

(3) The Department of Education shall issue an annual report on use of physical restraint which includes rates of usage by school and by subcategories identified in paragraph (c)(1)a. of this section, identifies trends, and analyzes significant results.

(4) Unless proscribed by federal law, the Secretary of Education may issue a waiver of the prohibition on mechanical restraint and seclusion for an individual student based on compelling justification and subject to specific conditions and safeguards which must include a requirement of continuous visual staff monitoring and parental notice of each use of mechanical restraint or seclusion.

14 Del.C. §4140. Delaware school safety and security fund [Effective upon fulfillment of the contingency in 81 Del. Laws, c. 427, § 2].

(b) The Department of Education shall administer the Delaware School Safety and Security fund to provide funding to school districts, vocational technical schools, or charter schools (LEAs) for certain expenses incurred on or after the effective date of this section for projects intended to improve school safety or security. The LEA, in conjunction with the Department of Education and Department of Safety and Homeland Security, shall determine which items to apply such funds to and the following expenses for the purposes of this section shall be considered minor capital expenditures and shall be eligible for such funds:

(14) Restraint training.

REGULATIONS
14 DE Admin. Code §610. Limitations on use of seclusion and restraint. 1.0 Purpose and Authority

1.1 The purpose of these regulations is to establish standards and procedures for the use of physical restraint, chemical restraint, mechanical restraint, and seclusion to provide safety for all individuals. The regulations set forth permitted and prohibited uses of restraint and seclusion, required training for public school, private program, or alternative program personnel, required documentation and reporting of incidents of restraint and seclusion, required notification to parents, and waiver procedures for individual students.

1.2 These regulations are promulgated in accordance with 14 Del.C. § 4112F. 2.0 Definitions

The following words and terms, when used in this regulation, shall have the following meaning unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Alternative program" means a program established pursuant to 14 Del.C. Ch. 16.

"Chemical restraint" means a drug or medication used on a student to control behavior or restrict freedom of movement that is either not medically prescribed for the standard treatment of a student's medical or psychiatric condition or not administered as prescribed. (Authority: 14 Del.C. § 4112F(a)(1)).

"Mechanical restraint" means the application of any device or object that restricts a student's freedom of movement or normal access to a portion of the body that the student cannot easily remove. "Mechanical restraint" does not include devices or objects used by trained school personnel, or used by a student, for the specific and approved therapeutic or safety purposes for which they were designed and, if applicable, prescribed, including the following:

-Restraints for medical immobilization;

-Adaptive devices or mechanical supports used to allow greater freedom of movement stability than would be possible without use of such devices or mechanical supports;

-Vehicle safety restraints when used as intended during the transport of a student in a moving vehicle; -Instruction and use of restraints as part of a criminal justice or other course; or

-Notwithstanding their design for other purposes, adaptive use of benign devices or objects, including mittens and caps, to deter self-injury.

(Authority: 14 Del.C. § 4112F(a)(2)) "Parent" means:

-A biological or adoptive parent of a child;

-A guardian generally authorized to act as the child's parent, or authorized to make educational decisions for the child (but not the State if the child is a ward of the State);

-An individual acting in the place of a biological or adoptive parent (including a grandparent, stepparent, or other relative) with whom the child lives and for whom a Relative Caregiver's School Authorization executed in compliance with 14 Del.C. § 202(f)(1) is on file;

-An individual who is otherwise legally responsible for the child's welfare; or

-A surrogate parent who has been appointed in accordance with 14 DE Admin. Code 926,19.0 or Section 639(a)(5) of the Act.

The biological or adoptive parent, when attempting to act as the parent under these regulations, and when more than one party is qualified under this definition to act as a parent, must be presumed to be the parent for purposes of this definition unless the biological or adoptive parent does not have legal authority to make educational decisions for the child. If a judicial decree or order identifies a specific person or persons to act as the "parent" of a child, or to make educational decisions on behalf of a child, then such person or persons shall be determined to be the "parent" for purposes of this definition.

(Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1401(23); 14 Del.C. § 3110)

"Physical restraint" means a restriction imposed by a person that immobilizes or reduces the ability of a student to freely move arms, legs, body, or head. "Physical restraint" does not include physical contact that:

-Helps a student respond or complete a task;
-Is needed to administer an authorized health-related service or procedure; or

-Is needed to physically escort a student when the student does not resist or the student's resistance is minimal.

(Authority: 14 Del.C. § 4112F(a)(3))

"Principal" means the building principal, or the equivalent of the building principal, of any public school or charter school, or the building principal's designee.

"Private program" means a non-public school or program contracted by a school district or charter school. "Public school personnel" means an employee or contractor of a public school district or charter school. "Public school personnel" does not include the following:

-A law enforcement officer as defined in § 9200(b) of Title 11; unless the law enforcement officer meets the definition of a School Resource Officer/SRO; or

-An employee or contractor providing educational services within a Department of Correction or Division of Youth Rehabilitative Services facility. (Authority: 14 Del.C. § 4112F(a)(4))

"School Resource Officer (SRO)" means a contractor, subcontractor or employee of a public school district or charter school who is a sworn law enforcement officer as defined in 11 Del.C. § 9200.

"Seclusion" means the involuntary confinement of a student alone in a room, enclosure, or space that is either locked or, while unlocked, physically disallows egress. The use of a "timeout" procedure during which a staff member remains accessible to the student shall not be considered "seclusion." (Authority: 14 Del.C. § 4112F(a)(5))

"Student" means any individual enrolled in a Delaware public school or charter school, an alternative program pursuant to 14 Del.C. Ch. 16, or a private program pursuant to Title 14 Del.C. Chapter 31, Section 3124.

"Timeout" means a behavior management technique in which, to provide a student with the opportunity to reflect or regain self-control, a student is separated from others for a limited period in a setting that is not locked and the exit is not physically blocked by furniture, closed door held shut from outside, or other inanimate object. (Authority: 14 Del.C. § 4112F(a)(6))

"Written report" means printed paper filings and electronic filings that can be printed. 3.0 Use of Restraints

3.1 Public school personnel, private program personnel, and alternative program personnel are prohibited from imposing on any student:

3.1.1 Chemical restraint; and

3.1.2 Subject to waiver authorized by 14 Del.C. § 4112F(c)(4) and Section 8.0, mechanical restraint and seclusion.

3.2 Such personnel may impose physical restraint only in conformity with all of the following standards: 3.2.1 The student's behavior presents a significant and imminent risk of bodily harm to self or others;

3.2.2 The physical restraint does not interfere with the student's ability to communicate in the student's primary language or mode of communication;

3.2.3 The physical restraint does not interfere with the student's ability to breathe or place weight or pressure on the student's head, throat, or neck;

3.2.4 The physical restraint does not recklessly exacerbate a medical or physical condition of the student;

3.2.5 Less restrictive interventions have been ineffective in stopping the imminent risk of bodily harm to the student or others, except in case of a rare and clearly unavoidable emergency circumstance posing imminent risk of bodily harm, including, without limitation, intervening in a student initiated physical assault or altercation;

3.2.6 For a student with a disability as defined in Chapter 31 of Title 14 or 34 C.F.R. Part 104, the physical restraint does not contravene provisions in an individualized education program (IEP), behavior intervention plan, accommodation plan, or any other planning document for the individual student;

3.2.7 Personnel use only the amount of force necessary to protect the student or others from the threatened harm;

3.2.8 The physical restraint ends when a medical condition occurs putting the student at risk of harm or the student's behavior no longer presents an imminent risk of bodily harm to the student or others;

3.2.9 The physical restraint is within the scope of force authorized by § 468 of Title 11. (Authority: 14 Del.C. § 4112F(b))
4.0 Training of Personnel

4.1 Except as provided in 14 Del.C. § 702(c), a student may be physically restrained only by public school personnel, private program personnel, or alternative program personnel who have completed training in physical restraint procedures.

4.1.1 Such personnel shall receive annual training in the use of crisis prevention and intervention techniques consistent with nationally-recognized training programs, which shall meet the following minimum requirements:

4.1.1.1 The training shall address prevention techniques, de-escalation techniques, and positive behavioral intervention strategies and supports;

4.1.1.2 The training shall be designed to meet the needs of such personnel consistent with their duties and the potential need for emergency safety interventions; and

4.1.2 Each public school, private program, and alternative program shall maintain written or electronic documentation of each training provided, which shall include a list of all personnel who participated in the training.

4.2 Any public school personnel responsible for reporting the physical restraint of a student to the Department shall complete training on the reporting process approved by the Department and any additional training that the Department may prescribe from time to time.

4.2.1 The approved training shall be provided using a web-based platform through the Department's Professional Development Management System (PDMS) or similar system. The training will be provided on an annual basis and made available throughout each school year.

4.2.2 Such personnel responsible for reporting the physical restraint of a student shall complete the approved training at least once every three (3) years and during any year in which reporting procedures were changed from the previous year as indicated by the Department.

5.0 Parental Notification of Use of Physical Restraint

5.1 Except as provided in Section 5.1.1, if a student is physically restrained, a reasonable attempt shall be made to notify the parent on the same day, but in no event later than twenty-four hours after, the physical restraint is used. Such notification shall be made in person, by phone or by voicemail, or by e- mail. The school shall maintain written documentation of successful and unsuccessful attempts to notify the parent.

5.1.1 Where physical restraint is included in the student's IEP or Section 504 Plan, the IEP Team or Section 504 Team, including the parent, shall determine a timeframe and manner of notification of each incident of physical restraint.

5.2 The parent shall be provided a copy of a final written report no later than the date on which such report is filed with the Department. The written report shall contain, at a minimum, the information required under Section 6.0.

6.0 Uniform Data Collection
6.1 When an incident of physical restraint of a student by school personnel occurs:

6.1.1 As soon as practicable thereafter, a reasonable attempt shall be made to interview the student regarding the incident; and

6.1.2 The school principal must provide a written report, in a uniform format as determined by the Department, of the restraint to the Department within seventy-two (72) hours of the restraint, or within seventy-two (72) hours of the time in which the student's district or charter school of residence receives notice of the restraint from the contracted private program or alternative program, whichever the case may be; and

6.1.3 The written report shall include, at a minimum:

6.1.3.1 Details of the restraint incident, including, but not limited to, the student behavior and description of events leading to the use of physical restraint; de-escalation techniques utilized by school personnel prior to the restraint; a description of the student's behavior during the restraint; a summary of witness interviews, if applicable; any injury caused to the student, staff member(s), or other student(s); and any related treatment deemed necessary as a result of the restraint.

6.1.3.2 Demographic information on affected students to include age, race, ethnicity, and disability category;

6.1.3.3 A description of the interview conducted with the student, if applicable; and

6.1.3.4 If applicable, a description of changes to any or all of the following that resulted from the restraint incident:

6.1.3.4.1 For a student with a disability as defined in Chapter 31 of Title 14 or 34 C.F.R. Part 104, the student's IEP, behavioral support, crisis intervention plan, accommodation plan, or any other planning document for the individual student;

6.1.3.4.2 School/LEA policy or procedure; or

6.1.3.4.3 Additional staff training. 7.0 Annual Reporting Requirement

The Department shall issue an annual report on the use of physical restraint, which shall include rates of usage by school and by subcategories identified pursuant to Section 6.0, identify trends, and analyze significant results. The report shall be posted on the Department's website.

8.0 Waiver

8.1 Any public school, private program, or alternative program applicant for a waiver of the prohibition on the use of mechanical restraints or seclusion for an individual student must deliver the request in writing, in a uniform format developed by the Department, to the Secretary or Secretary's designee setting forth the grounds for the request.

8.1.1 The request shall be based on compelling justification supported by documentation, including, but not limited to, educational records, reporting of incidents, and the student's functional behavioral assessment and behavioral intervention plan, including implementation data, and medical documentation, if applicable.

8.1.2 The request shall contain a description of the conditions and safeguards that the applicant will utilize in connection with the waiver, including, but not limited to:

8.1.2.1 A detailed description of the proposed continual visual staff monitoring of student;

8.1.2.2 A requirement that the parent be notified of each use of mechanical restraint or seclusion which conforms to the procedure set forth in Section 5.0 for reporting physical restraint except that the provisions of 5.1.1 shall not apply herein; and

8.1.2.3 A detailed description of the physical space within which the seclusion(s) will occur, or of the type of mechanical restraint(s) to be utilized, whichever is applicable.

8.1.3 The request shall include a written authorization signed by the parent agreeing to the issuance of a waiver on the prohibition of the use of mechanical restraints or seclusion for that student and a signed written consent for release of information to the Department and the waiver review committee.

8.1.4 All privileged documentation shall be maintained confidentially by the Department and the waiver review committee to the extent permitted by law.

8.2 All requests shall be considered by a waiver review committee appointed by the Secretary. A decision by the waiver review committee shall be rendered no later than (60) sixty calendar days of receipt of the waiver request.

8.3 The committee shall make a written recommendation to the Secretary, which shall include:

8.3.1 A summary of the compelling justification based on the documentation submitted in support of the waiver requested;

8.3.2 Recommendations to include any specific conditions and safeguards, and a brief statement of the reasons therefore;

8.3.3 A requirement that, where a waiver is issued, there be continual visual monitoring, parental notice of each use of mechanical restraint or seclusion, and collection of data to include the number of times the student was subject to mechanical restraint or seclusion, the duration of each mechanical restraint or seclusion, and any other data as required by the Department;

8.3.4 A statement as to the duration of the waiver, not to exceed a period of one calendar year.

8.4 The Secretary shall consider the entire record of the case and the committee's recommendations in reaching a final decision. The Secretary's decision shall be issued in writing and mailed to the applicant and the parent by certified mail no later than ten (10) calendar days from receipt of the recommendation of the waiver review committee.

8.5 The Secretary's decision shall be final.

Dating/Relationship Violence

Dating and Relationship Violence

LAWS
14 Del.C. §4161. Definitions.

For purposes of this subchapter:

(14) "Teen dating violence" means assaultive, threatening, or controlling behavior, including stalking as defined in § 1312 of Title 11, that one person uses against another person in order to gain or maintain power or control in a current or past relationship and can occur in both heterosexual and same sex relationships and in serious or casual relationships.

14 Del.C. §4162. Child safety awareness, prevention, and other nonacademic trainings.

(b) Each school district and charter school shall require a school administrator, school nurse, or school counselor serving 1 or more of the grades in grades 7 through 12 to receive 2 hours of a teen dating violence and sexual assault training program established under § 4166(a) of this title every 3 years. This training may be included in paragraph (a)(4) of this section.

14 Del.C. §4166. Teen dating violence and sexual assault awareness and prevention.

(a) Teen dating violence and sexual assault training program. - The Delaware Domestic Violence Coordinating Council shall identify and maintain a teen dating violence and sexual assault training program for school administrators, school nurses, and school counselors serving 1 or more of the grades in grades 7 through 12.

(b) Teen dating violence and sexual assault policies. - Each school district and charter school serving 1 or more of the grades in grades 7 through 12 shall establish a policy for responding to teen dating violence and sexual assault that includes, at a minimum, all of the following components:

(1) Definitions of teen dating violence and sexual assault, the behaviors which constitute each, and the consequences for committing offenses.

(2) Guidelines on mandatory reporting and confidentiality as required by the law of this State and school district or charter school policy.

(3) A protocol for responding to incidents of teen dating violence and sexual assault which includes all of the following:

a. Procedures regarding initial response.

b. Procedures for reporting incidents of teen dating violence and sexual assault when a report is required.

c. Procedures for the documentation of incidents. d. Procedures for working with victims.
e. Procedures for working with perpetrators.

(d) Each school district and charter school shall ensure existing health standard programming related to comprehensive healthy relationships, based on the health standards adopted by the Department of Education as approved by the State Board of Education, is provided in health education programs or related classes. The Domestic Violence Coordinating Council shall have the authority to review and advise on the implementation of school district policies and charter school policies related to teen dating violence and sexual assault.

(e) Dissemination of policy and accountability. -

(1) Each school district and charter school shall adopt a policy consistent with subsection (b) of this section. Following review by the Domestic Violence Coordinating Council, each school district and charter school shall submit a copy to the Department of Education by January 5, 2015, or by January 5 of a newly approved charter school's first year of operation.

(2) Each school district and charter school shall ensure that its policy adopted under subsection (b) of this section appears in the student and staff handbook. If no handbook is available, or if it is not practical to reprint new handbooks, each school district and charter school shall ensure that a copy of the policy is distributed annually to all students, parents, faculty, and staff.

(3) The Department of Education shall prepare an annual report, which shall include a summary of reported incidences of teen dating violence and sexual assault. The Department shall submit the report to the Domestic Violence Coordinating Council by August 1 of each year.

(f) Immunity. - A school district or charter school employee, school district or charter school volunteer, or student is individually immune from a cause of action for damages arising from reporting teen dating violence or sexual assault in good faith and to the appropriate person using the procedures specified in the school district's or charter school's teen dating violence and sexual assault policy, but there is no such immunity if the act of reporting constituted gross negligence or reckless, wilful, or intentional conduct.

(g) Relationship to reporting requirements. - Nothing in this section or in the policies promulgated as a result of this section prevents school officials from fulfilling all of the reporting requirements of § 4112 of this title or from reporting probable crimes that occur on school property or at a school function which are not required to be reported under that section. For purposes of this subsection, "school property" and "school function" mean as defined in § 4112 of this title. Nothing in this section abrogates the reporting requirements for child abuse or sexual abuse set forth in Chapter 9 of Title 16 or any other reporting requirement under state or federal law.

(h), (i) [Repealed.]
(j) Short title. - This section shall be known and may be cited as the "Liane Sorenson Act."

REGULATIONS
14 DE Admin. Code §601. Schools and law enforcement agencies.

5.0 Reporting of Crimes to the Delaware Department of Education

5.1 The superintendent or head administrator of each school district, charter school, and Alternative Program or his/her designee, shall ensure each school within his/her jurisdiction reports to the Department of Education all school crimes required to be reported pursuant to 14 Del.C. § 4112, and any subsequent amendment thereto. Such reports shall be submitted in a format as designated by the Department of Education and filed with the Department of Education within the time prescribed by Delaware statutes.

6.0 Reporting Specific Incidents of Misconduct

6.1 In addition to those school crimes required to be reported to law enforcement pursuant to 14 Del.C. § 4112, the superintendent or head administrator of each school district, charter school, and Alternative Program, or his/her designee, shall report to the Department of Education incidents of misconduct 6.1.1 through 6.1.14. Such reports shall be submitted in a format as designated by the Department of Education and filed with the Department of Education not later than five working days following the incident.

6.1.13 Teen Dating Violence.

14 DE Admin. Code §614. Uniform definitions for student conduct which may result in alternative placement or expulsion.

3.0 Uniform Definitions for Student Conduct

The following definitions shall be used whenever a school district or charter school uses such conduct as a basis for alternative placement or expulsion of a student:

"Teen Dating Violence" means assaultive, threatening or controlling behavior, including stalking as defined in 11 Del.C. § 1312, that one person uses against another person in order to gain or maintain power or control in a current or past relationship. The behavior can occur in both heterosexual and same sex relationships, and in serious or casual relationships.

Appropriate Grounds for Suspension/Expulsion

Grounds for Suspension or Expulsion

LAWS

11 Del.C. §1457. Possession of a weapon in a Safe School and Recreation Zone; class D, E, or F felony; class A or B misdemeanor.

(j) The penalty for possession of a weapon in a Safe School and Recreation Zone shall be:

(5) In the event that an elementary or secondary school student possesses a firearm in a Safe School and Recreation Zone in addition to any other penalties contained in this section, the student shall be expelled by the local school board or charter school board of directors for a period of not less than 180 days unless otherwise provided for in federal or state law. The local school board or charter school board of directors may, on a case by case basis, modify the terms of the expulsion.

(6) In the event that an elementary or secondary school student possesses a deadly weapon other than a firearm in a Safe School and Recreation Zone in addition or as an alternative to any other penalties contained in this section, the student may be suspended for a period of not less than 30 days unless otherwise provided for in federal or state law. The local school board or charter school board of directors may, on a case by case basis, modify the terms of the suspension.

REGULATIONS
14 DE Admin. Code §603. Compliance with the Gun Free Schools Act.

1.0 Written Policy Required

1.1 Each school district and charter school shall have a written policy implementing the Gun-Free Schools Act (20 U.S.C. § 7961) and complying with 11 Del.C. § 1457(j) or its successor statute. At a minimum, the policy must contain the following elements:

1.1.1 A student who is determined to have brought a firearm to school, or to have possessed a firearm at school, shall be expelled for not less than one year.

1.1.2 Modification to the expulsion requirement may be made on a case by case basis by the chief school officer. Any modification to the expulsion requirement must be made in writing to the Department.

1.1.3 The definition of "Firearm" shall be the same as the meaning given to the term in the federal Gun-Free Schools Act.

14 DE Admin. Code §614. Uniform definitions for student conduct which may result in alternative placement or expulsion.

1.0 Purpose

Pursuant to 14 Del.C. § 122(b)(26), this regulation provides uniform definitions for student conduct which may result in alternative placement or expulsion. This regulation shall apply to all school districts and charter schools. Nothing contained here shall be interpreted to require the alternative placement or expulsion of a student, nor shall this regulation be interpreted to restrict the ability of school districts and charter schools to determine which student conduct shall result in expulsion or an alternative placement.

2.0 Definitions

Since some definitions of Section 2.0 may not be age appropriate, this section shall not be required to be published in a district or charter school's Student Code of Conduct. The district/charter school shall publish an internet link to this entire regulation in the Student Code of Conduct and provide a paper copy of the regulation upon request of a member of the public. In this regulation, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated below:

"Alcohol" shall have the same definition as provided in 4 Del.C. § 101(1).

"Alcohol Liquor" shall have the same definition as provided in 4 Del.C. § 101(2).

"Charter School" means a charter school board established pursuant to 14 Del.C. Ch. 5.

"Commission by a student" means that a student has engaged in behavior equivalent to that which is prohibited by law regardless of whether the student has been criminally convicted of the same.

"Crime" shall have the same definition as provided in 14 Del.C. § 4112.
"Dangerous Instrument" shall have the same definition as provided in 11 Del.C. § 222(4). "Deadly Weapon" shall have the same definition as provided in 11 Del.C. § 222(5).

"Distribute", "Distributing" or "Distribution" means the transfer or attempted transfer of Alcohol, a Drug, a Look Alike Substance, a Drug Like Substance, or Drug Paraphernalia to any other person with or without the exchange of money or other valuable consideration.

"District" means a reorganized school district or vocational technical school district established pursuant to 14 Del.C. Ch. 10.

"Drug" means any "controlled substance" or "counterfeit controlled substance" as defined in 16 Del.C. § 4701.

"Drug Like Substance" means any non-controlled and non-prescription substance capable of producing a change in behavior or altering a state of mind or feeling, including, for example, some over the counter cough medicines, certain types of glue, caffeine pills and diet pills. The definition of Drug Like Substance does not include tobacco or tobacco products which are governed by 14 DE Admin. Code 877 Tobacco Policy.

"Drug Paraphernalia" shall have the same definition as provided in 16 Del.C. § 4701.

"Expulsion" means the exclusion from the regular school setting for a period determined by the local District board or Charter School board.

"Firearm" means handgun, rifle, shotgun, or other type of firearm as that term is defined in the federal Gun Free Schools Zone Act at 18 U.S.C.A. § 921.

"Look Alike Substance" means any non-controlled substance which is packaged so as to appear to be, or about which a student makes an express or implied representation that the substance is, a Drug or a non- controlled substance capable of producing a change in behavior or altering a state of mind or feeling.

"Nonprescription Medication" means any over the counter medication of which some may be a Drug Like Substance.

"Possess", "Possessing", or "Possession" means that a student has on the student's person, in the student's belongings, or under the student's reasonable control prohibited items or substances.

"Prescription Drugs" means any substance obtained directly from or pursuant to a valid prescription or order of a practitioner, as defined in 16 Del.C. § 4701, while acting in the course of his or her professional practice, and which is specifically intended for the student in whose possession it is found.

"School Environment" means within or on school property, and at school sponsored or supervised activities, including, for example, on school buses, at functions held on school grounds, at school sponsored extracurricular activities held on and off school grounds, and on field trips.

"Sexual Act" means (1) contact between the penis and the vulva or the penis and the anus, and for purposes of this definition contact involving the penis occurs upon penetration, however slight; (2) contact between the mouth and the penis, the mouth and the vulva, or the mouth and the anus; or (3) the penetration, however slight, of the anal or genital opening of another by a hand or finger or by any object, with an intent to arouse or gratify the sexual desire of any person.

"Sexual Intercourse" shall have the same definition as provided in 11 Del.C. § 761.
"Sexual Offense" means any offense defined by 11 Del.C. §§ 763 through 780B and §§ 1108 through 1112B, and 1352 through 1353.

"Student Code of Conduct" means the District/Charter School approved document which specifies the rights and responsibilities of students, defines conduct that disrupts/threatens a positive/safe school environment, standardizes procedures for consequences, disciplinary action, and defines due process and grievance procedures.

"Theft" means those acts described in 11 Del.C. §§ 841 through 847 inclusive.

"Use" means that a student is reasonably known to have voluntarily ingested, smoked or otherwise assimilated Alcohol, a Drug or a Drug Like Substance, or is reasonably found to be under the influence of such a substance.

3.0 Uniform Definitions for Student Conduct

The following definitions shall be used whenever a school district or charter school uses such conduct as a basis for alternative placement or expulsion of a student:

"Arson" means a person recklessly or intentionally damages a building by intentionally starting a fire or causing an explosion.

"Assault III" means: (1) A person intentionally or recklessly causes physical injury to another person; or (2) With criminal negligence the person causes physical injury to another person by means of a Deadly Weapon or a Dangerous Instrument.

"Attorney General's Report (Juvenile Arrest Warrant and Complaint)" means the Department of Justice's report of out-of-school criminal conduct, regardless of jurisdiction, which shows disregard for the health, safety and welfare of others, including, but not limited to acts of violence, weapons offenses, and drug offenses.

"Breaking and Entering" means unauthorized entry of any locked area of the school environment during or after school; including, but not limited to, rooms, classrooms, auditorium, gym, shops, offices, lockers, cabinets and vehicles.

educational performance, opportunities or benefits; or (4) Perpetuating bullying by inciting, soliciting or coercing an individual or group to demean, dehumanize, embarrass or cause emotional, psychological or physical harm to another student, school volunteer or school employee.

"Criminal Deadly Weapons/Dangerous Instrument Offense, Commission of" means the Commission by a student of an offense prohibited by 11 Del.C. §§ 1442 through 1460 inclusive.

"Criminal Drug Offense, Commission of" means the Commission by a student of the unlawful Possession, Distribution, or use of Alcohol, a Drug, a Drug-Like Substance, and/or Drug Paraphernalia.

"Criminal Mischief (Vandalism)" means a student, in the School Environment, intentionally or recklessly: (1) Damages tangible property of another person or entity; or (2) Tampers with tangible property of another person so as to endanger person or property.

"Criminal Sexual Offense, Commission of" means the Commission by a student of an offense prohibited by 11 Del.C. §§ 763 through 780B and §§ 1108, 1112B and § 1352 through § 1353.

"Criminal Violent Felony Offense, Commission of" means the Commission by a student of any violent felony as specified in 11 Del.C. § 4201(c).

"Dangerous Instrument Possession/Concealment/Sale" means the unauthorized possession, concealment or sale by a student in the School Environment of any instrument, article or substance which is readily capable of causing serious physical injury or death.

"Deadly Weapon Possession/Concealment/Sale" means the possession, concealment, or sale of a Deadly Weapon in the School Environment.

"Defiance of School Authority" means: (1) A verbal or non-verbal refusal to immediately comply with a reasonable request from school personnel, or refusal to identify oneself at the request of school personnel, and/or refusal to comply with disciplinary action; or (2) A verbal or non-verbal display of disrespect and/or uncivil behavior toward school personnel which either causes a substantial disruption or material interference with school activities.

"Disorderly Conduct" means conduct in the School Environment which causes public inconvenience, annoyance or alarm or creates a risk thereof by: engaging in fighting or violent tumultuous or threatening behavior or making an unreasonable noise or an offensively coarse utterance or gesture or display or addressing, abusive language to any person present.

"Distribution of Drugs and/or Alcohol and/or Drug Paraphernalia" means the sale, transfer, or distribution in school, on school property, or on school field trip of drugs or alcohol.

"Extortion" means to obtain or attempt to obtain money, goods, services, or information from another by force or the threat of force.

"Felony Theft ($1500 or more)" means: (a) When a person takes, exercises control over or obtains property of another person intending to deprive that person of it or appropriate it; or (b) When a person, in any capacity, legally receives, takes, exercises control over or obtains property of another which is the subject of Theft, and fraudulently converts the property to the person's own use. The Theft is considered a felony when the value of the property received, retained, or disposed of is $1500 or more or the victim is 62 years of age or older, or an "adult who is impaired" as defined in § 3902(2) of Title 31, or a "person with a disability" as defined in § 3901(a)(2) of Title 12.

"Fighting" means any aggressive physical altercation between two or more individuals. "Gambling" means participation in games of chance for money or other things of value.

"Gun Free Schools Violation" means the prohibited bringing to school, or possession while in school of a firearm by a student.

"Inhalant Abuse" means chemical vapors that are inhaled for their mind-altering effects.

"Medications: Inappropriate Use or Possession" means Possessing or using Nonprescription Medication or Prescription Drugs of any type in the School Environment in violation of 14 DE Admin. Code 612.

"Misuse of Technology" means:
The use of school technology equipment in:

Soliciting, using, receiving or sending pornographic or obscene material;
or Accessing unauthorized email; or
The unauthorized downloading and/or installing of files; or
Intentionally damaging technology equipment in the School Environment; or

A situation in which a student deliberately:

Tampers with, damages, alters, accesses, crashes, or corrupts the computer/communications system in the School Environment resulting in the loss or corruption of information or the ability of the system to operate; or

In any way disrupts or degrades the school or District's technology infrastructure.

"Offensive Touching" means intentionally touching another person either with a member of his or her body or with any instrument, knowing that the person is thereby likely to cause offense or alarm to such other person; or Intentionally striking another person with saliva, urine, feces or any other bodily fluid, knowing that the person is thereby likely to cause offense or alarm to such other person.

"Pornography" means the possession, sharing, or production of any known obscene material in the School Environment.

"Rape or Attempted Rape" means sexual intercourse and attempted Sexual Intercourse without consent of the victim in both cases.

"Reckless Burning" means when a person intentionally or recklessly starts a fire or causes an explosion and recklessly places a building or property in danger of destruction or damage or places another person in danger of physical injury.

"Repeated Violations of Student Code of Conduct" means five or more violations of the school's Code of Conduct within a school year, excluding chronic infractions for tardiness or unexcused absences to school/class.

"Sexual Assault" means any unwanted sexual behavior committed by a perpetrator who is a stranger to the victim or by a perpetrator who is known by the victim or related to the victim by blood, marriage or civil union. Behaviors that fall under this definition include but are not limited to: sexual harassment as defined in § 763 of Title 11; sexual contact as defined in § 761 of Title 11; Sexual Intercourse as defined in § 761 of Title 11; sexual penetration as defined in § 761 of Title 11; and child sexual abuse as defined in § 901 of Title 10.

"Sexual Misconduct" means a consensual sexual act or acts between individuals within the School Environment.

"Stealing" means taking, exercising control over or obtaining property of another person intending to deprive that person of it or appropriate it.

"Steroids Possession and/or Use" means the unlawful use or possession of steroids.

"Tampering with Public Records" means a person knowingly without valid authorization removes, mutilates, destroys, conceals, makes a false entry in or falsely alters any original record or other written material filed with, deposited in or otherwise constituting a record of a public office or public servant.

"Terroristic Threatening" means when: (1) A person threatens to commit any Crime likely to result in death or in serious injury to person or property; or (2) A person commits an act with intent of causing an individual to believe that the individual has been exposed to a substance that will cause the individual death or serious injury.

"Terroristic Threatening - Security Threat" means when a person makes a false statement or statements:

(1) Knowing that the statement or statements are likely to cause evacuation in the School Environment; (2) Knowing that the statement or statements are likely to cause serious inconvenience in the School Environment; or (3) In reckless disregard of the risk of causing terror or serious inconvenience in the School Environment.

"Unlawful Sexual Contact III" means when a student has sexual contact with another person or causes the victim to have sexual contact with the student or a third person and the student knows that the contact is either offensive to the victim or occurs without the victim's consent.

"Use and/or Possession of a Drug and/or Alcohol and/or Drug Paraphernalia" means that in the School Environment a student unlawfully possesses, uses or is under the influence of Alcohol, a Drug, Drug Paraphernalia, or any substance or paraphernalia consistent with the definitions of these substances or paraphernalia.

"Violation of Behavior Contract" means the failure of a student to comply with the provisions of any behavior contract between the student, the student's legal guardian, and the school.

14 DE Admin. Code §616. Uniform due process procedures for alternative placement meetings and expulsion hearings.

5.0 Suspensions
5.1 Short-term Suspension

5.1.1 The Principal, in accordance with the rules of the district/charter school, shall have the right to impose a Short-term Suspension on any student in the school who has violated the school's Student Code of Conduct. The duration of the Short-term Suspension shall not be more than ten (10) consecutive school days for any single conduct violation or combination of violations which occurred during a single disciplinary incident.

5.1.2 The Superintendent, in accordance with the rules of the district/charter school, shall have the right to temporarily extend a student's Short-term Suspension beyond the ten school day limit pending a district/charter Alternative Placement Meeting decision or the district/charter's Board of Education decision regarding an Expulsion hearing or other formalized Disciplinary Action hearing for the student.

5.1.2.1 A student whose Short-term Suspension has been temporarily extended beyond ten (10) consecutive school days shall receive Appropriate Educational Services beginning on the first day of the extension. Educational services shall continue until the student's district/charter Alternative Placement Meeting decision has been rendered or the district/charter's Board of Education decision regarding the student's Expulsion hearing or other formalized Disciplinary Action hearing has concluded. This does not preclude a district/charter from providing Appropriate Educational Services during a Short-term Suspension prior to the extension.

5.2 Long-term Suspension

5.2.1 The Superintendent, in accordance with the rules of the district/charter school, shall have the right to impose a Long-term Suspension on any student in the school who has violated the school's Student Code of Conduct's listed acts of misconduct as defined in 14 DE Admin. Code 614.3. The duration of the Long-term Suspension shall not exceed the number of school days in a school year for any single conduct violation or combination of violations which occurred during a single disciplinary incident.

5.3 Prior to any Suspension from school, the initial due process procedures outlined in subsection 4.1 of this regulation shall be followed unless temporarily delayed as allowed in subsection 4.2 of this regulation.

5.4 When a student receives a Suspension from school (in or out-of-school), reasonable attempts to provide verbal notification to the Parent shall be made by the Principal prior to the Suspension being served. Written notification of the Suspension and information regarding the districts/charters appeal or Grievance process shall be given or sent to the Parent as soon as practicable, but no later than three business days. The notification shall state the cause and duration of the Suspension.

5.4.1 The Parent or student may appeal the Suspension to the next administrative level in accordance with the district/charter's appeal or Grievance process.

5.5 Prior to the student's return from an out-of-school Suspension of three (3) school days or more, the Principal shall hold an in-person or phone conference with the Parent and student. A definite time, date, and place for the conference shall be designated by the Principal. The Principal may waive this conference requirement.

Truancy

Chronic Absenteeism and Truancy

LAWS

14 Del.C. §203. Special programs.

The Department with the approval of the State Board of Education and the school board of any local reorganized school district, either separately or jointly, may establish special programs for children who are in need of education not provided for in regular classes or schools. Such special programs may include, but are not limited to, bilingual programs, programs for persons who are truant or insubordinate or programs for pregnant students.

14 Del.C. §411. Pupils suspended, expelled, or truant in district of residence.

If a child for whom an application has been submitted pursuant to this chapter has been suspended or expelled, or has been absent from school without a valid excuse for more than 15 school days during a school year, in the district of residence, the board of the receiving district may, in its sole discretion, refuse to consider the application or refuse to approve the application, or refuse to enroll the child in the receiving district until the child has been reinstated in the district of residence, provided, however that nothing in this section shall be construed to enlarge upon the authority of any district to accept for re- enrollment any student who has been expelled from a school district in this State, as such authority is limited by the provisions of § 4130 of this title. "Valid excuse" shall have the same meaning as in § 2721 of this title.

14 Del.C. §2702. Compulsory attendance requirements; evaluation of readiness; exit interview.

(a) Except as otherwise provided, the following provisions are applicable to school attendance in this State:

(3) Every student who is enrolled in a public school of this State shall attend the school each day of the minimum school term and any academic improvement activities required by § 153 of this title. A student who has been absent from school without a valid excuse for more than 3 school days in a school year is a truant. A truant and the parent of a truant are subject to the administrative procedures and court proceedings set out in subchapter II of this chapter.

14 Del.C. §2721. Definitions.

In this chapter:

(7) "Truant" means a student who has been absent from school without valid excuse for more than 3 school days during a school year.

14 Del.C. §2722. Absences and truancy.

(a) Subject to the rules and regulations of the local school board, pupils enrolled in the free public schools may be excused by the superintendent of schools or persons authorized by the superintendent. Pupils enrolled in charter schools may be excused by the principal of the school or persons authorized by the principal, subject to rules and regulations promulgated by the board of directors of the charter school.

(b) No pupil who could otherwise legally fail to attend school pursuant to § 2702(a) of this title may do so without the written consent of such person or persons having legal control of that pupil.

14 Del.C. §2723. Responsibility of police officers.

(a) Any pupil under the age of 16 identified by a police officer as being off school property without official authorization may be returned to that pupil's home school.

(b) Any pupil under the age of 16 identified by a police officer as being off school property without official authorization may be detained by the police for a period not to exceed 2 hours for the purpose of notification of parent or guardian. This detention may be within the police station but not in a criminally confined area.

14 Del.C. §2724. Notification to parents and students.

At the beginning of a school year each school district or public school shall notify each student and the parent of each student of the school attendance requirements of this Code, including the procedures and penalties applicable to truancy. The school district or school may determine the form of the notification.

14 Del.C. §2725. Absences without excuse; truancy conferences.

(a) If a student has been absent from school without a valid excuse 1 or more days, the principal of the school may take such action as the principal considers appropriate.

(b) If a student is truant, the principal shall schedule a truancy conference with the student, the student's parent and the principal pursuant to § 2726 of this title. The conference may be attended by other persons as the principal may include.

(c) Following a truancy conference the school shall decide whether or not to file a charge against the parent for a violation of § 2702 of this title; provided however, that the principal shall refer the case for prosecution following the twentieth day of unexcused absence by a student during the school year, in compliance with § 2702(d) of this title, and may refer the case before the twentieth day of unexcused absence if the principal determines it is appropriate to do so.

(d) The fact that a student or student's parent attended or failed to attend a truancy conference does not bar the principal from filing a complaint with the Justice of the Peace Court.

14 Del.C. §2726. Procedure for truancy conferences.

The provisions of § 4122 of this title shall apply to truancy conferences. The principal shall determine the date, time and place of the conference and shall give all participants notice at least 1 week prior to the

Delaware Compilation of School Discipline Laws and Regulations Page 778

conference. In conducting a truancy conference, the principal may exclude any person, including a parent or a student, from the conference or part of a conference.

14 Del.C. §2727. Notice of violation and compliance.

No person shall be prosecuted for violation of § 2702 of this title if that person, within 3 days from the time that the person is notified by the superintendent of schools or persons authorized by the superintendent, presents an excuse in writing satisfactory to such superintendent of schools, and complies with the requirements of such § 2702 of this title. The mailing of a notice to the usual address of the offending party shall be sufficient notification.

14 Del.C. §2728. Procedure for court adjudication.

(a) When the school charges a parent or a student with a violation of § 2702 of this title, the school shall file a written complaint in the court. The complaint shall be on such form(s) as the court may require. The school shall be the complainant and the parent or the student shall be the defendant. The court must determine whether probable cause exists to issue a warrant or summons against the person charged. When there is probable cause to find that a student is truant, probable cause to issue a warrant or summons for a parent shall exist when the parent is named as the parent or guardian on the student's school records and the parent resides in Delaware.

14 Del.C. §2730. Failure to attend; penalties.

(a) The school may file a civil charge of truancy against the student in the Justice of the Peace Court if: (1) The student is age 12 or older; and/or

(2) The Court determines that a parent who is charged with violating § 2702 of this title has a valid affirmative defense under § 2729(b) of this title.

(b) The court shall determine whether a preponderance of the evidence establishes that the student has violated § 2702 of this title.

(c) If the Court determines the student has violated § 2702 of this title, it shall adjudicate the student a truant and may order the following remedial dispositions:

(1) Community service;
(2) Counseling;
(3) Substance abuse evaluation and treatment; (4) Mental health evaluation and treatment;
(5) A curfew with hours set by the
court; (6), (7) [Repealed.]

(8) Prohibition of the student's participation in or attendance at any extra-curricular activity or social event which is an official school event or is sponsored by the school or held on school property;

(9) A recommendation that the student enroll in the school in alternative educational and related services in accordance with Chapter 16 of this title; and

(10) Such other action as is permitted by statute or by court rule.

14 Del.C. §2731. Enforcement of court order.

(a) The court with jurisdiction over the matter shall retain jurisdiction until all terms of the court's order have been complied with regardless of any change in the student's age, marital status or choice of educational source or location.

(b) Notwithstanding any provision of this Code to the contrary, if it is alleged that a student has not complied with the terms of the court's order, the noncompliant student may be charged with criminal contempt pursuant to § 1271 of Title 11, which shall, in the first instance, be brought in the Family Court.

(c) A juvenile against whom criminal contempt proceedings pursuant to this section and § 1271 of Title 11 have been initiated shall have the right to counsel at all stages.

14 Del.C. §2732. Appeals.

(a) A parent convicted within the Justice of the Peace Court of a violation of § 2702 of this title may appeal to the Court of Common Pleas in the county in which the judgment was given. The appeal shall be filed within 15 days from the date of conviction. On appeal the Court of Common Pleas shall make a de novo determination. [...]

(c) A student who has been adjudicated truant within the Justice of the Peace Court pursuant to § 2730 of this title may appeal to the Family Court in the county in which the adjudication occurred. The appeal shall be filed within 15 days of the date of the adjudication. On appeal the Family Court shall make a de novo determination based on the record below.

(d) No appeal of the adjudication of truancy or truancy-related contempt pursuant to subsection (c) of this section shall stay execution of the remedial disposition unless a judge of the Family Court orders a stay.

14 Del.C. §2733. Jurisdiction; venue.

(a) The Justice of the Peace Court and the Family Court shall have concurrent jurisdiction of complaints filed pursuant to this subchapter.

(b) All complaints under this subchapter shall be filed in a Justice of the Peace Court in the county where the school the child is required to attend is located or in the county in which the office of the school district which contains the child's school is located.

(c) The matter shall proceed within the Justice of the Peace Court unless that Court determines, upon the complaint's filing, that the matter shall be transferred to the Family Court due to the existence of any of the following conditions:

(1) Pending delinquency proceedings involving the child;

(2) Pending civil proceedings involving a determination of the child's best interests pursuant to § 722 of Title 13;

(3) Pending proceedings with involvement by the Department of Services for Children, Youth and Their Families with the child's family; or

(4) Any other condition exists related to the child that reasonably warrants transfer to Family Court.

(d) In the event that a student withdraws from school for any reason other than age and does not re- enroll in another public school, the Family Court or Justice of the Peace Court, in its discretion, may retain jurisdiction for the purpose of ensuring that the student's alternative educational environment was not an attempt to avoid the compulsory attendance requirements of § 2702 of this title.

REGULATIONS
14 DE Admin. Code §615. School attendance.

1.0 Required Attendance Policy

Each school district and charter school shall have an attendance policy that complies with 14 Del.C. Ch. 27 and which defines and describes the district's or charter school's rules concerning attendance for students K to 12.

2.0 Distribution of Attendance Policy

2.1 Each district or charter school shall distribute and explain these policies to every student at the beginning of each school year.

2.2 Each district or charter school shall distribute and explain these policies to each student enrolling or re enrolling during the school year.

2.3 Each district or charter school shall post the attendance policy on its website and notify a parent, guardian or relative caregiver of each student in writing where this policy can be accessed. A hard copy shall be provided to a parent, guardian or relative caregiver upon request.

3.0 Reporting Requirements and Timelines

3.1 Each public school district or charter school shall have an electronic copy of its current attendance policy on file with the Department of Education.

3.2 Each public school district or charter school shall provide an electronic copy of any revised attendance policy within ninety (90) days of such revision(s) regardless of whether said revisions were made as a result of changes to federal, state or local law, regulations, guidance or policies.

Dangerous Weapons

Firearms and Other Weapons Violations

LAWS

11 Del.C. §1457. Possession of a weapon in a Safe School and Recreation Zone; class D, E, or F felony; class A or B misdemeanor.

(j) The penalty for possession of a weapon in a Safe School and Recreation Zone shall be:

14 Del.C. §4112. Reporting school crimes.

(c) Student possession of weapons and unlawful drugs. - Whenever a school employee has reliable information that would lead a reasonable person to believe that a person on school property or at a school function has on his or her person, concealed in that person's possessions, or placed elsewhere on school property:

(1) Any controlled substance prohibited by Title 16; or

(2) Any deadly weapon, destructive weapon, dangerous instrument or incendiary or explosive device as prohibited by Title 11, the school employee shall immediately report the incident to the principal, who shall conduct a thorough investigation. If the investigation verifies that good reason exists to believe that a crime has been committed, the principal shall immediately notify the appropriate police agency of the incident. If the police agency determines that probable cause exists to believe that a crime has been committed, then the principal shall file a written report of the incident with the Department of Education within 5 working days.

REGULATIONS
14 DE Admin. Code §603. Compliance with the Gun Free Schools Act.

1.0 Written Policy Required

1.1.1 A student who is determined to have brought a firearm to school, or to have possessed a firearm at school, shall be expelled for not less than one year.

1.1.3 The definition of "Firearm" shall be the same as the meaning given to the term in the federal Gun- Free Schools Act.

14 DE Admin. Code §611. Consortium discipline alternative programs for treatment of severe discipline problems.

1.0 Eligible Students

1.1 Except as otherwise provided in this regulation, any student who is expelled by a local school district, who is subject to expulsion or who otherwise seriously violates the district discipline code shall be eligible for placement at a Consortium Discipline Alternative Program (CDAP) site. [...]

2.0 Ineligible Students

2.1 Any student expelled or suspended pending expulsion for behavior equivalent to a violation of the following is not eligible for, and may not be placed at a Consortium Discipline Alternative Program site.

2.1.2 11 Del.C. § 1457. Possession of a Weapon in a Safe School and Recreation Zone;class D, E, or F: class A or B misdemeanor.

Substance Use

LAWS

14 Del.C. §2730. Failure to attend; penalties.

(c) If the Court determines the student has violated § 2702 of this title, it shall adjudicate the student a truant and may order the following remedial dispositions:

(3) Substance abuse evaluation and treatment.

14 Del.C. §3801. Declaration of purpose.

The General Assembly finds and declares that a substantial drug and alcohol trafficking and abuse problem exists in this State among school age children, in schools and on school campuses, parks and playgrounds. It is the purpose of this chapter to support increased efforts by local law enforcement agencies, working in conjunction with school districts and with state and local drug and alcohol prevention agencies, to suppress trafficking, and to prevent drug and alcohol abuse among school-age children in schools and on school campuses, through the development of innovative and model programs jointly undertaken by local law-enforcement agencies and school districts. Further, it is the intent of the General Assembly to establish a program of financial and technical assistance for local law enforcement and school districts, and to formulate a joint policy of pursuing both demand reduction (through education and prevention programs), and supply reduction (through law enforcement).

14 Del.C. §3802. Definitions.

The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this chapter, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:

(1) "Division" shall mean the Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health.

(2) "Enhanced apprehension, prevention and education efforts" shall mean projects and programs which do not compete with, but which supplement and improve currently existing substance abuse prevention and education programs.

(3) "Entity" shall mean any committee, agency or group approved by the Division; any law- enforcement committee, agency or group approved by the Department of Safety and Homeland Security; or any committee, agency or group composed of public school teachers and/or administrators.

14 Del.C. §3803. Division of substance abuse and mental health.

(a) The Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health shall allocate and award all funds appropriated for any purposes set forth in § 3801 and elsewhere in this chapter. Such funds shall be awarded only to programs or projects, undertaken jointly by a law-enforcement entity and a local school district or other public school entity, to prevent and/or suppress substance abuse and the trafficking of prohibited or controlled substances in the public schools. All applications for such funds shall be applications made jointly by the school and law-enforcement entities involved in the proposed project.

(b) In the allocation and awarding of funds to joint law enforcement and public school recipients, the Division shall obtain the comments and recommendations of the State Drug-free School Advisory Committee. All allocation and awarding of funds by the Division shall be in accordance with the Administrative Procedures Act [Chapter 101 of Title 29], and with those guidelines promulgated by the State Drug-free School Advisory Committee which do not conflict with existing state laws.

(c) Each application shall be accompanied by a fiscal note, prepared by the joint applicants, which sets forth all anticipated first-year costs and the anticipated total costs of the project or program. The Division may return any application to the applicant with a request that any or all expenses be more fully set out, together with the applicant's explanations or reasons for each projected cost or expense.

14 Del.C. §3804. State drug-free school advisory committee.

(a) All criteria for the rating of applications for funds under this chapter shall be developed by the State Drug-free School Advisory Committee. The State Drug-free School Advisory Committee shall be composed of 16 members appointed by the Governor: 1 police chief; 1 sheriff; 1 prosecutor from the State Department of Justice who specializes in drug and/or alcohol cases; 1 attorney primarily engaged in criminal defense; 1 person from each county appointed by an active parent group or community-based group concerned primarily with drug and/or alcohol problems; 1 representative of the Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health; 1 county drug and/or alcohol program administrator; and a permanent, full-time member of a drug treatment clinic or office, public or private. In addition, membership shall include the Attorney General or the Attorney General's designee; 4 members who are professional employees of the Department of Education, 1 of whom shall be the Secretary of Education; and a drug and/or alcohol prevention professional employed by the Department of Education. The Committee shall review applications made to the Division for those funds which are awarded pursuant to this chapter, and shall recommend approval for those applications which the Committee deems appropriate, and which it deems are consistent with the guidelines and procedures established pursuant to this chapter. The Division shall not approve nor release any funds until approval under § 3805(b) of this title is first obtained.

(b) The State Drug-free School Advisory Committee shall develop specific guidelines and procedures which shall set forth the terms and conditions upon which grants of funds are made. Funds disbursed under this chapter shall not be used for the acquisition of equipment.

(c) Funds disbursed under this chapter shall not be used to pay informants for information on drug and/or alcohol offenders. Not more than 10 percent of the total amount of funds disbursed under this chapter shall be used for administrative costs.

14 Del.C. §3805. Local drug-free school advisory committees.

(a) A local drug-free school advisory committee may be established and appointed by each local board of education. Such committee may be either a newly created committee, or an existing local drug and alcohol abuse committee formerly established by the county, municipality or school district. Although the committee may have additional members, its basic membership shall be composed of the following residents of the district or area affected:

(1) One local law enforcement officer;

(2) An administrator or teacher, employed by the local school district, who has expertise in drug and alcohol programs;

(3) One administrator and 1 teacher from the school or school district which has direct involvement in the program;

(4) One parent who has a son or daughter enrolled in the school; (5) Three high school students;

(6) One person who is a permanent full-time employee of the state, county or municipality, and whose duties primarily involve drug education or treatment;

(7) Any other person who is involved, by employment or as a volunteer, in any drug and/or alcohol prevention program.

(b) No project or program, financed in whole or in part with funds under this chapter, shall begin in any school until such project or program has first received the approval of the local drug-free school advisory committee.

14 Del.C. §3806. Utilization of funds.

(a) Funds shall be awarded primarily for projects undertaken jointly by the school district or other public school entity, and a law-enforcement entity. In participating in any joint application for the funds, the public school entity shall consult with the superintendent of each affected school. Any funds disbursed under this chapter are supplemental to and shall not supplant local funds which would, in the absence of this chapter, be otherwise available to suppress and prevent drug and alcohol abuse among school age children, or which otherwise would be used to curtail drug and alcohol trafficking in and around schools, parks and playgrounds.

(b) When applying for funds under this chapter, the local law-enforcement entity and the public school entity may jointly enter into those agreements between themselves which would allow and facilitate the administrative, fiscal and operational responsibilities created by their joint project or program.

(c) Funds disbursed under the provisions of this chapter shall be utilized primarily for enhanced apprehension, prevention, and education efforts, and for obtaining material and information resources relating to drug and alcohol abuse and drug trafficking in and around schools, parks and playgrounds. Enhanced apprehension, prevention and education efforts shall include, but are not limited to:

(1) Drug and alcohol trafficking intervention programs;

(2) School and classroom oriented programs, each of which shall utilize a tested drug and alcohol education curriculum that provides in-depth and accurate information on drugs and alcohol. Such programs may include the participation of local law-enforcement agencies and/or qualified drug and alcohol use prevention specialists. Each such program shall be designed to increase, in both teachers and students, an awareness of the dangers of drugs and alcohol;

(3) Family-oriented programs aimed at preventing drug and alcohol abuse, which programs may include the participation of any community-based organization which is experienced in the successful operation of a family-oriented program;

(4) Development and distribution of appropriate written and audio-visual aids for the training of persons not otherwise trained or experienced in the handling of drug and alcohol-related problems and offenses within the public schools;

(5) Development of prevention and intervention programs for elementary school teachers and students, including utilization of existing prevention and intervention programs, where appropriate;

(6) Development of a coordinated intervention system that identifies "at-risk" students, and students with chronic drug and alcohol abuse problems.

14 Del.C. §3807. State board of education; Department of public safety.

The Department of Safety and Homeland Security and the Department of Education shall both have the power to monitor and evaluate the projects and programs under this chapter, and to make comments and suggestions to the Division.

14 Del.C. §4112. Reporting school crimes.

(1) Any controlled substance prohibited by Title 16; or

14 Del.C. §4117. Substance abuse.

(a) Each school district shall designate an administrator in every school as the person responsible for reporting, to parents and/or law enforcement agencies, any violation and/or problems relating to the abuse of controlled substances. Such administrator shall not be liable under the laws of this State for any act or omission committed by the administrator in the performance of that administrator's duties and responsibilities under this section.

(b) No administrator having reporting responsibilities under this section shall be required to report any substance abuse violation and/or problem to a parent if such person, being the principal of the school, reasonably believes that a parent or parents are a cause of or are involved in the violation and/or problem; nor shall any other administrator, having reporting responsibilities under this section, be required to report any substance abuse violation and/or problem to a parent, if such administrator and the principal of the school both believe that a parent or parents are a cause of or are involved in the violation or problem.

16 Del. C. §2205. Duties of Office.

The Office of Substance Abuse Services, as a component of the Department of Health and Social Services, shall:

(2) Cooperate with the Department of Education, law-enforcement officials, and other public and private agencies to assist with the development and dissemination of substance abuse prevention materials for use at all levels of school education.

REGULATIONS

14 DE Admin. Code §612. Possession, use or distribution of drugs and alcohol.

1.0 Purpose

The purpose of this regulation is to outline the minimum requirements to be included in all public school district and charter school policies on the Possession, Use, or Distribution of Drugs and Alcohol.

2.0 Definitions

The following words and terms, when used in this regulation, shall have the following meaning unless the context clearly states otherwise:

"Alcohol" means alcohol or any alcoholic liquor capable of being consumed by a human being, as defined in 4 Del.C. § 101 including alcohol, spirits, wine and beer.

"Designated Caregiver" means, pursuant to 16 Del.C. § 4902A(5), a person who is at least twenty-one (21) years of age unless the person is the parent or legal guardian of a minor who is a qualifying patient; has agreed to assist with a patient's medical use of marijuana; has not been convicted of an excluded felony offense; and assists no more than five (5) qualifying patients with their medical use of marijuana.

"Distribute", "Distributing" or "Distribution" means the transfer or attempted transfer of Alcohol, a Drug, a Drug Like Substance, or Drug Paraphernalia to any other person with or without the exchange of money or other valuable consideration.

"Drug" means any controlled substance or counterfeit substance as defined in 16 Del.C. § 4701 including, for example, narcotic Drugs such as heroin or cocaine, amphetamines, anabolic steroids, and marijuana, and shall include any prescription substance which has been given to or prescribed for a person other than the student in whose possession it is found.

"Drug Like Substance" means any noncontrolled and nonprescription substance capable of producing a change in behavior or altering a state of mind or feeling, including, for example, some over the counter cough medicines, certain types of glue, caffeine pills and diet pills. The definition of Drug Like Substance does not include tobacco or tobacco products which are governed by 14 DE Admin. Code 877 Tobacco and Smoking Policy.

"Drug Paraphernalia" means all equipment, products and materials as defined in 16 Del.C. § 4701 including, for example, roach clips, miniature cocaine spoons and containers for packaging Drugs.

"Hand Sanitizer" means a commercially available health care topical antiseptic product with at least 60% ethanol or 70% isopropyl alcohol content.

"Look Alike Substance" means any noncontrolled substance which is packaged so as to appear to be, or about which a student makes an express or implied representation that the substance is, a Drug or a noncontrolled substance capable of producing a change in behavior or altering a state of mind or feeling.

"Medical Marijuana Oil" means as defined in 16 Del.C. § 4902A(10).

"Nonprescription medication" means any over the counter medication that can be sold legally without a prescription. This definition may include a Drug Like Substance but excludes Hand Sanitizer.

"Possess", "Possessing" or "Possession" means that a student has on the student's person, in the student's belongings, or under the student's reasonable control by placement of and knowledge of the whereabouts of, Alcohol, a Drug, a Drug Like Substance, a Look Alike Substance, or Drug Paraphernalia.

"Prescription medication" means a legal drug that has a written order for a student by a licensed health care provider licensed to prescribe medication.

"School Environment" means within or on school property, and at school sanctioned or supervised activities, including, for example, on school grounds, on school buses, at functions held on school grounds, at extra-curricular activities held on and off school grounds, on field trips and at functions held at the school in the evening.

"Use" means that a student is reasonably known to have ingested, smoked or otherwise assimilated Alcohol, a Drug or a Drug Like Substance, or is reasonably found to be under the influence of such a substance.

3.0 General Provisions
3.1 The following provisions shall apply to all public school district and charter schools:

3.1.1 The possession, use or distribution of Alcohol, a Drug, a Drug Like Substance, a Look Alike Substance and Drug Paraphernalia are prohibited within the School Environment, unless medically necessary.

3.1.2 Student lockers are the property of the school and may be subjected to search at any time with or without reasonable suspicion.

3.1.3 Student motor vehicle use to and in the School Environment is a privilege which may be extended by school districts or charter schools to students in exchange for their cooperation in the maintenance of a safe school atmosphere. Reasonable suspicion of a student's use, possession or distribution of Alcohol, a Drug, a Drug Like Substance, a Look Alike substance or Drug Paraphernalia in the School Environment, may result in the student being asked to open an automobile in the School Environment to permit school authorities to look for such items. Failure to open any part of the motor vehicle on the request of school authorities may result in the police being called to conduct a search and will result in loss of the privilege to bring the vehicle on campus.

3.1.4 All Alcohol, Drugs, Drug Like Substances, Look Alike Substances and Drug Paraphernalia found in a student's possession shall be turned over to the principal or designee, and be made available, in the case of a medical emergency, for identification. All substances shall be sealed and documented, and, in the case of substances covered by 16 Del.C. Ch. 47, turned over to police as potential evidence.

4.0 Requirement of Each School District and Charter School to have a Policy

4.1 Each school district and charter school shall have a policy on file and update it periodically. The policy shall include, at a minimum, the following:

4.1.1 A system of notification of each student and their parent, guardian or relative caregiver at the beginning of the school year, of the state and district policies and regulations. In addition, a system for the notification of each student and their parent, guardian or relative caregiver whenever a student enrolls or re enrolls during the school year of the state and district policies and regulations.

4.1.2 A statement that state and district or charter school policies shall apply to all students, except that with respect to children with disabilities, applicable federal and state laws will be followed.

4.1.3 A written policy which sets out procedures for reporting incidents to police authorities, parents, guardians or relative caregivers and to the Department of Education, while maintaining confidentiality.

4.1.4 A written policy on how evidence is to be kept, stored and documented, so that the chain of custody is clearly established prior to giving such evidence over to the police.

4.1.5 A written policy on search and seizure.
4.1.6 A program of assistance for students with counseling and referral to services as needed.

4.1.7 A policy in cases involving a Drug Like Substance or a Look Alike Substance for establishing that the student intended to use, possess or distribute the substance as a Drug.

4.1.8 A policy which establishes how Prescription medications and Nonprescription medications shall be handled in the School Environment and when they will be considered unauthorized and subject to these state and local policies.

4.1.9 A policy which sets out the conditions for return after expulsion for Alcohol or Drug infractions.

4.2 Notwithstanding any of the foregoing to the contrary, all policies adopted by public school districts or charter schools relating to the possession or use of Drugs shall permit a student's discretionary use and possession of an asthmatic quick relief inhaler with an individual prescription label, an autoinjectable epinephrine with individual prescription label, or an insulin pump for continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion ("insulin pump") or Hand Sanitizer; provided, nevertheless, that the student uses the inhaler, autoinjectable epinephrine, or an insulin pump pursuant to prescription or written direction from a state licensed health care practitioner; a copy of which shall be provided to the school district or charter school; and further provided that the parents or legal custodians of such student provide the school district or charter school with written authorization for the student to possess and use the inhaler, autoinjectable epinephrine, or an insulin pump at such student's discretion or under the school nurse's supervision, together with a form of release satisfactory to the school district or charter school releasing the school district or charter school and its employees from any and all liability resulting or arising from the student's discretionary use and possession of the inhaler, autoinjectable epinephrine, or an insulin pump, and further provided that the school nurse may impose reasonable limitations or restrictions upon the student's use and possession of the inhaler, autoinjectable epinephrine, or an insulin pump based upon the student's age, level of maturity, behavior, or other relevant considerations.

4.2.1 Parents or legal custodians shall not be required to provide or sign a form of release where the student's use and possession of an asthmatic quick relief inhaler, autoinjectable epinephrine, or insulin pump is determined by the student's IEP or Section 504 Team to be necessary for the student's educational placement.

4.2.2 Except as provided for in a student's Section 504 Plan or IEP, the school nurse may not unilaterally impose limitations or restrictions on a student's use and possession of an asthmatic quick relief inhaler, autoinjectable epinephrine, or an insulin pump if a Section 504 or IEP Team has determined the use of the medication is necessary for the student's educational placement.

(For students who use prescribed asthmatic quick relief inhalers, autoinjectable epinephrine, or an insulin pump for continuous subcutaneous insulin therapy or Hand Sanitizer, see 14 DE Admin. Code 817, Administration of Medications and Treatments.)

4.3 A Designated Caregiver may possess for the purpose of administering and may administer to a minor qualifying patient Medical Marijuana Oil in a school bus and on the grounds or property of the preschool, or primary or secondary school in which a minor qualifying patient is enrolled. The Designated Caregiver shall not be a school nurse or other school employee hired or contracted by a school unless he or she is a parent or legal guardian of the minor qualifying patient, and said parent or legal guardian possesses no more than the number of doses prescribed per day of Medical Marijuana Oil which is kept at all times on their person.

5.0 Reporting Requirements and Timelines

5.1 Each local school district and charter school shall have an electronic copy of its current possession, use and distribution of Drugs and Alcohol policy on file with the Department of Education.

5.2 When a local school district or charter school revises its possession, use, and distribution of Drugs and Alcohol policy, it shall notify the Department of Education of the revised policy within thirty (30) days of the revision, even if the revision was made because of changes in federal, state or local law, regulations, guidance or policies.

14 DE Admin. Code §851. K to 12 comprehensive health education program.

2.1 Each school district and charter school shall have a sequential, skill-based K to 12 Comprehensive Health Education Program based on the Delaware Health Education Standards. The program shall establish a foundation of understanding the relationship between personal behavior and health outcomes, and shall include at a minimum the following:

2.1.7 Inclusion of an Evidence-based tobacco, alcohol, drug and interpersonal violence prevention program. Promising Practices may be used to supplement instruction.

2.1.7.1 The Department shall prepare and distribute on its website a list of Evidence-based and Promising Practices for tobacco, alcohol, drug, and interpersonal violence prevention programs and resources that may be used by school districts or charter schools.

2.1.7.2 A description of the method or methods used to implement and review for the effectiveness of the program or programs shall be reported to the Department no later than August 2021.

14 DE Admin. Code §877. Tobacco and smoking policy.

1.0 Purpose

1.1 The purpose of this regulation is to specify for district and charter schools the elements of a required Tobacco and Smoking Policy, including specifying areas where the policy is in effect, and outlining reporting requirements and timelines.

1.2 This regulation aligns with 16 Del.C., Chapter 29, Delaware's Clean Indoor Air Act, and 11 Del.C., Chapter 5, Subchapter V.

2.0 Definitions The following words and terms, when used in this regulation, have the following meaning unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Electronic Smoking Device" means any product containing or delivering nicotine or any other similar substance intended for human consumption that can be used by a person to simulate Smoking through inhalation of vapor or aerosol from the product. The term includes any such device, whether manufactured, distributed, marketed, or sold as an e-cigarette, e-cigar, e-pipe, e-hookah, or vape pen, or under any other product name or descriptor or as this term may be amended by 16 Del.C. § 2902.

"Smoking" means:

a. The burning of a lighted cigarette, cigar, pipe or any other matter or substance that contains tobacco; or

b. The use of an Electronic Smoking Device which creates an aerosol or vapor, in any manner or in any form or as this term may be amended by 16 Del.C. § 2902.

"Tobacco Product" means:

a. Any product that is made from or derived from tobacco or that contains nicotine, including: cigarettes, cigars, pipe tobacco, hookah tobacco, chewing tobacco, snuff, snus, or smokeless tobacco and is intended for human consumption by any means including Smoking, heating, chewing, absorbing, dissolving, inhaling, or ingesting as this term may be amended by 11 Del.C. § 1115.; or

b. A component or accessory used in the consumption of a Tobacco Product, including filters, rolling papers, and pipes or as this term may amended by 11 Del.C. § 1115.

Tobacco Product does not mean a drug, device, or combination product authorized for sale by the United States Food and Drug Administration under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. § 301. et seq.) or as this term may be amended by 11 Del.C. § 1115.

"Tobacco Substitute" means:

a. An Electronic Smoking Device employing a mechanical heating element, battery, or circuit to produce aerosol or vapor for inhalation into the body of an individual or as this term may be amended by 11 Del.C. § 1115., or

b. A liquid used in a device under paragraph a. above, including liquids that contain nicotine and liquids that do not contain nicotine or as this term may be amended by 11 Del.C. § 1115.

Tobacco Substitute does not mean a drug, device, or combination product authorized for sale by the United States Food and Drug Administration under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. § 301. et seq.) or as this term may amended by 11 Del.C. § 1115.

3.0 Required Policy

3.1 To improve the health of students, school personnel, and visitors, each school district and charter school in Delaware shall have a Tobacco and Smoking Policy which at a minimum:

3.1.1 Prohibits smoking and the use of or distribution of tobacco products and electronic smoking devices in school buildings, on school grounds, in school leased or owned vehicles, even when they are not used for student purposes, and at all school affiliated functions.

3.1.2 Includes procedures for communicating the policy to students, school staff, parents, guardians or relative caregivers, families, visitors and the community at large.

3.1.3 Makes provisions for or refers individuals to voluntary cessation education and support programs that address the physical and social issues associated with nicotine addiction.

4.0 The Tobacco and Smoking Policy Shall Apply to

4.1 Any building, property or vehicle leased, owned or operated by a school district, charter school or assigned contractor.

4.1.1 School bus operators under contract shall be considered staff for this policy.

4.2 Any private building or other property including automobiles or other vehicles used for school activities when students and staff are present.

4.3 Any non-educational groups utilizing school buildings or other educational assets. 4.4 Any individual or a volunteer who supervises students off school grounds.

5.0 No School or School District Property May Be Used for the Advertising of any Tobacco Product, Tobacco Substitute or Electronic Smoking Device

6.0 Reporting Requirements and Timelines

6.1 Each school district and charter school shall have an electronic copy of its current Tobacco and Smoking Policy on file with the Department of Education.

6.2 Each school district and charter school shall provide an electronic copy of any Tobacco and Smoking Policy within ninety (90) days of such revisions regardless of whether said revisions were made as a result of changes to federal, state or local law, regulations, guidance or policies.

Police Use

Referrals to Law Enforcement

LAWS

14 Del.C. §4112. Reporting school crimes.

(1) Any controlled substance prohibited by Title 16; or

14 Del.C. §4117. Substance abuse.

REGULATIONS
14 DE Admin. Code §601. Schools and law enforcement agencies.

6.0 Reporting Specific Incidents of Misconduct

6.1.1 Pornography, possession and production 6.1.2 Criminal mischief (vandalism)
6.1.3 Tampering with public records
6.1.4 Alcohol, possession and use

6.1.5 Felony theft

6.1.6 Bullying (allegations and substantiated incidents) 6.1.7 Offensive Touching (student or employee victim) 6.1.8 Terroristic Threatening (student or employee victim) 6.1.9 Sexual Harassment

6.1.10 Fighting
6.1.11 Inhalants
6.1.12 Drug Paraphernalia
6.1.13 Teen Dating Violence
6.1.14 Unlawful Drug Use/Influence.

14 DE Admin. Code §612. Possession, use or distribution of drugs and alcohol.

4.0 Requirement of Each School District and Charter School to have a Policy

4.1 Each school district and charter school shall have a policy on file and update it periodically. The policy shall include, at a minimum, the following:

14 DE Admin. Code §616. Uniform due process procedures for alternative placement meetings and expulsion hearings.

3.2 Reporting Requirements

3.2.1 If the investigation reveals that there is reliable information that would lead a reasonable person to believe that a mandatorily reportable crime under 14 Del.C. § 4112 has been committed, the Principal shall immediately notify the appropriate law enforcement agency of the incident.

3.2.1.1 All reports to the appropriate law enforcement agency must be made immediately by telephone or in person and shall be followed by a written report of the investigation within three (3) business days.

No regulations; under Federal Law:

Source: