NC H825

Creates a 15-member Legislative Task Force on the Prevention of a School-to-Prison Pipeline in North Carolina, with members appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House, including legislators, educators, law enforcement, and juvenile justice representatives.

Task Force must study the relationship between school discipline, dropout rates, and juvenile justice involvement, including examining whether disciplinary practices disproportionately affect minority and special education students.

Task Force shall investigate whether school resource officers and law enforcement play a role in disciplinary referrals leading to juvenile justice system entry and examine existing community support programs for at-risk students.

Task Force has authority to subpoena witnesses, compel testimony, and require state departments and local governments to provide relevant information.

Task Force must submit final report with findings and recommendations to the 2016 General Assembly and terminates April 1, 2016, or upon filing its final report, whichever occurs first.