Louisiana Passes New Bill After 9 Year Old Was Suspended For Having BB Gun

The Louisiana House of Representatives approved a bill that aims to give families more protections during virtual learning after a Jefferson Parish fourth grade student was suspended for handling a BB gun in his own house. The bill now heads to the state's Senate Education Committee for a vote scheduled on Thursday.

House Bill 83, or the "Ka'Mauri Harrison Act," was introduced after Jefferson Parish Public Schools suspended 9-year-old Ka'Mauri Harrison for six days in September after he moved a BB gun during a virtual lesson. According to Fox 8 Live, district officials said the punishment came because during virtual learning, his room is seen as an extension of the classroom, therefore he violated weapons laws on campus.

According to WDSU, Harrison's family filed a lawsuit against the school district to have the weapons violation and suspension removed from his school record. Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry issued a statement after Tuesday's vote. When Harrison was suspended, Landry and others demanded the decision be rescinded, according to Fox 8 Live.

"Today, the Louisiana House — in a bi-partisan and unanimous manner — passed the Ka'Mauri Harrison Act, which will ensure due process for our children in this age of virtual learning," said Landry. "I thank Representative Romero and Chairman Garofalo for sponsoring this important students' rights bill. Most importantly, I thank the bill's namesake — Ka'Mauri Harrison — who has shown courage and maturity well beyond his years. I now look forward to working with Senator Fields to secure a smooth passage through the upper chamber."

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