Bill > HB356

This bill increases penalties and mandates specific actions for individuals making terrorist threats in schools and other settings. The legislation defines a "credible threat" as a statement made with intent and apparent ability to cause harm or disrupt school, church, or government activities. It upgrades the criminal classification for making terrorist threats, changing first-degree terrorist threats from a Class C to a Class B felony, and second-degree terrorist threats from a Class A misdemeanor to a Class D felony. For students who make terrorist threats, the bill mandates immediate suspension and a ban from all public K-12 school properties for a minimum of one year. Additionally, such students can only be readmitted after all criminal charges are resolved, completing a court-ordered psychiatric or psychological evaluation and counseling (at their family's expense), and satisfying local school board readmission requirements. The bill also introduces mandatory restitution provisions, requiring individuals convicted of making terrorist threats to compensate law enforcement, emergency services, and affected entities for costs incurred during investigation, prosecution, and response. The legislation aims to enhance school safety by establishing stricter consequences for threats and requiring principals to immediately notify law enforcement about potential terrorist threats. The bill will take effect on July 1, 2025, giving schools and law enforcement time to prepare for the new regulations.

Justice

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