Safety Law News for March 16, 2020

• In Pennsylvania, the United States District Court, refused to dismiss a case brought by parents of a student who was sexually assaulted by a teacher.  The parent suit alleges that the failure to report child abuse, the failure to intervene, and the failure to properly train school personnel violated the rights of the student under the Fourteenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972.  The court agreed that enough facts exist on which liability might be based.  (Doe v. Career Technology Center of Lackawanna County)

• In Oklahoma, administrators with the Edmond Public School District said the number one problem on campus is vaping and the problems that come with it.

• In Virginia, Senate Bill 3 has been passed by the legislature.  The bill prevents students from being charged with disorderly conduct if they misbehave at school or on the school bus.  Until now, disorderly conduct is a Class I misdemeanor under Virginia law, punishable with up to 12 months in jail and a fine of up to $2,500. The Governor must sign the bill to become law.