SENATE DEBATES JUVENILE JUSTICE BILL

Spurred by America’s worst school shootings ever, Congress is giving juvenile justice issues high priority. As debate began on the Juvenile Justice Bill (S. 254) sponsored by Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT), NEA President Bob Chase sent a letter to all senators advocating a comprehensive approach, including creation or expansion of programs and services to detect and deter future violence.

NEA has strong reservations about the original bill that would:

• increase placement of children in adult correctional facilities,
• weaken “separation” protections intended to protect children from contact with adult prisoners, and
• undermine efforts to mitigate the disproportionate number of minority youth who are detained.

Chase encouraged senators to take the opportunity provided by the debate to improve the juvenile justice provisions of the original bill and add measures designed to enhance school safety. NEA specifically urged limiting youth access to weapons through provisions such as a ban on the transfer to and possession by juveniles of semi-automatic assault weapons and high capacity gun clips and increasing penalties for the sale of such weapons to juveniles.

The depth and intensity of the nation’s response to the Littleton shootings is reflected in the rapid shifts on gun control measures. After defeating an amendment to require three-day mandatory background checks on all sales at gun shows that triggered a strong public backlash, the Senate approved “24-hour background checks for all transfers of firearms at gun shows.” The amendment approved by the Senate fails to provide for background checks when buying back weapons from pawn shops. The FBI now keeps records of background checks for up to several months, a practice opposed by the National Rifle Association. The amendment eliminates this record.

By a vote of 96-2, the Senate closed another loophole in current law and extended the ban on handgun purchases by anyone under 18 to include purchases of semi-automatic assault weapons like Usiz or AK47s. The Senate also approved a ban on importing high-capacity ammunition clips that fire scores of bullets without reloading. Such devices cannot be manufactured in the United States, but are still imported. Debate continues with additional amendments expected.

Concerned members from both parties continue to look for answers beyond the debate on guns. A bipartisan group of senators has vowed to press for more counseling in schools.

EMERGENCY SPENDING SOUGHT FOR SCHOOL SAFETY PROGRAMS

In the emergency supplemental spending bill for Kosovo and disaster relief, Democratic senators failed in their attempt to get emergency spending for school safety programs.

VIOLENCE DECLARED A PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUE.

U.S. Surgeon General David Satcher, calling violence and its aftermath a serious public health issue, announced a new study that will take a broad look at the roles of popular culture, peer pressure, mental illness and the availability of guns in triggering homicidal rage by young people.

SOCIAL SECURITY REFORM?

Last month, House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Bill Archer (R-TX) released a reform proposal, but no committee hearings have been held. Now, work is underway by Democratic members of the Committee on a bill incorporating the President's reform principles. NEA, together with a coalition of national organizations, continues to oppose any “reforms” that mandate participation in the Social Security System by uncovered teachers and education personnel.

E-RATE: DECISION DAY IS MAY 27

There is still time to contact the FCC and your member of Congress to advocate full funding of the E-Rate program. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is expected to announce on May 27 the level of funding for the E-Rate's second year. If the program does not receive increased funding, over $1 billion in discount requests will not be filled.

CENSUS DATE IS BASIS FOR FEDERAL PROGRAMS

NEA urged the Commerce Department to use statistical sampling as a method of reaching a fair and accurate census count and will lobby Congress to fully fund the Census Bureau’s work. An accurate count affects every individual in every community, especially children. Census data provides the basis for federal school aid, early childhood education, special education for preschoolers, child care block grants and many other children’s services.

SCHOOL BUILDINGS GET AN "F"

America’s school buildings continue to receive an “F” on the American Society of Civil Engineers’ 1999 infrastructure status report. H.R. 1660, introduced by Rep. Charles Rangel (D-NY), and H.R. 1760, introduced by Rep. Nancy Johnson (R-CT), would make available to states and local communities interest-free bonds for school renovation and construction, sharply reducing the cost.

ACTION FROM THE STATES: YOUTH VIOLENCE

California. The Assembly has approved and sent the Senate a gun-purchase limit bill. Governor Gray Davis proposes to spend $100 million of an unexpected budget windfall on beefing up school safety with additional school counselors, install metal detectors on campuses and update school safety plans.

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors allocated $74 million to create the nation’s largest after-school care system funded with surplus welfare money. The after-class program will be held at 225 Los Angeles County elementary schools with large numbers of children on public assistance, but will be open at no cost to all public school students.

Colorado. A special legislative session this summer is being considered to restrict youth access to firearms.

Oregon. The House sent back to committee a bill to require background checks for all firearm sales at gun shows. Republicans said the bill needs more work. Democrats said the move would probably result in the bill’s slow death.

New York. Legislators proposed a bill to have the state Education Department set up and run a toll-free hotline by September 1 for New York students to report classmates who are troubled or are showing signs of becoming violent toward other youngsters.

Wisconsin. Organization of school administrators created a commission on school violence in response to the rash of threats made at schools throughout the state since the Littleton school shootings.

NEA Quality Public Schools Agenda

• School Funding
• Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA)
• Modern Schools
• National Education Association

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