The Louisiana House has approved the Ka Mauri Harrison Act, which is in response to the six-day suspension a nine-year-old boy in Jefferson Parish received he moved a BB gun during a virtual class. Harrison initially faced expulsion and Jennings Representative Troy Romero says his legislation will ensure due process.
“If a child is recommended for expulsion then the child’s parent or guardian has the right to appeal the decision to the school board and after that to the courts if deemed necessary,” said Romero.
Romero says the legislation would also allow students to appeal suspensions to the school board and it requires all 69 school districts to develop discipline policies for online learning.
“This gives direction on both sides so that everyone knows where we are going and what the rules are so we can move forward,” said Romero.
Ka’Mauri and his father appeared before House Education when that Committee heard the bill. Baton Rouge Representative Rick Edmonds, who is a member of House Ed, says every member on that panel has signed off as a co-author on this bill after hearing Ka’Mauri’s story.
“I’m thankful that I was able to sit in a meeting and watch the tears of a father as he sits there and loved his son and had no place to go and he found the Louisiana Legislature,” said Edmonds.
The measure heads to the Senate for more discussion.