PHOENIX Arizona schools remain free to suspend or expel students, no matter how young.
A proposal to ban that practice for most students prior to the fifth grade failed by a single vote Thursday on the House floor. Foes suggested that it doesn t really go far enough.
But Rep. Michelle Udall, R-Mesa, who crafted HB 2123, said the way some people would like to amend the measure is precluded by federal law.
She now will try to convince at least one of her colleagues to change their mind and have it reconsidered.
Current law says students can be suspended or expelled for any number of reasons, ranging from disruptive behavior and damaging school property to bringing a gun or weapon onto campus. But the statute is open ended, saying children can be expelled for any reason as the school district deems appropriate.
Nine West Valley municipalities have signed an intergovernmental agreement to create an investigative team that looks into critical incidents.Â
Police chiefs from the cities of Avondale, Buckeye, Glendale, Goodyear, Peoria, El Mirage, Tolleson and Surprise, as well as the town of Wickenburg, make up the task force.
The West Valley Investigative Response Team will assist in the investigation, documentation, evidence gathering and related functions of a âcritical incident,â including officer-involved shootings, officer injuries and other investigations. This WVIRT will ensure involved agencies are not investigating their own critical incidents.
The bill HB 2765 requires a third-party investigation into police shootings and other incidents.Â
“There’s immeasurable value in every single life regardless of genetic makeup,” Ducey said in a statement released this afternoon. “We will continue to prioritize protecting life in our preborn children, and this legislation goes a long way in protecting real human lives. My sincere thanks to Senator Nancy Barto for her leadership and work on this life-saving issue.”
The news release went on to state that Ducey s signature of the bill keeps Arizona among the top pro-life states in the nation.
The legislation has been widely criticized by pro-choice advocates and members of the medical community, who argue that it is unconstitutional, excessive, and dangerous.
Ducey signs sweeping anti-abortion legislation
New law bans abortions based on genetic abnormalities, requires burial of fetal remains
PHOENIX, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey on Tuesday signed a sweeping anti-abortion bill that bans the procedure if it s performed solely on the basis of a genetic abnormality, such as Down Syndrome.
“There’s immeasurable value in every single life regardless of genetic makeup,” said Governor Ducey. “We will continue to prioritize protecting life in our preborn children, and this legislation goes a long way in protecting real human lives. My sincere thanks to Senator Nancy Barto for her leadership and work on this life-saving issue.”
Gov. Doug Ducey last week vetoed a sex education bill supported by state lawmakers representing Rim Country and the White Mountains. The bill would have barred any discussion of homosexuality or transgender issues in sex education classes.
However, the governor also issued an executive order requiring school boards to post sex education curriculum and hold public hearings to give parents a chance to weigh in on the materials and prevent their child from attending the classes. Parents can bar their child from attending sex education classes.
Rep. Brenda Barton (R-Payson) and Rep. Walt Blackman (R-Snowflake) both voted for the vetoed bill. The Senate passed the bill on a voice vote and so did not record Sen. Wendy Rogersâ vote. However, the measure passed on an almost straight party-line vote.