(c) Any student who possesses, sells, or uses a dangerous weapon, switchblade knife or any improperly used knife, intoxicating substance(s), or illicit drug(s) while attending school may be excluded from attending school for up to ninety-two school days. Any student who reasonably appears to be under the influence of, have consumed or used intoxicating substance(s) or illicit drug(s) prior to attending school or attending department-supervised activities held on campus, or other department of education premises, on department of education transportation, or during a department of education sponsored activity or event on or off school property may be excluded from attending school for up to ninety-two school days and the school shall administer a substance use screening tool to determine whether there is a need for the student to be referred for a substance abuse assessment pursuant to section 302A-1134.6(f), Hawaii Revised Statutes. The school administrator shall comply with the provisions of this chapter by conducting an investigation of the reported incident and inform the parent of the disciplinary action. In addition, the school administrator shall arrange for the student to be screened by a trained screener. The designated screener will summarize the results with the student, and inform the school administrator of the results. The school administrator shall then inform the family of the screening results, the early return provisions of the law, and provide a contact list of medical insurance agencies that conduct substance abuse assessments. During the screening the student will be asked a series of questions to determine if the student is at low, high or very-high risk for a substance use problem. If the screening interview indicates high or very-high results, the student will be referred for a formal substance abuse assessment. A formal substance abuse assessment serves to provide expert clinical opinion to determine if a substance abuse problem exists, and if so, offer treatment recommendations. If referred for a substance abuse assessment, students with medical health insurance shall be asked to contact their medical health carrier to schedule an appointment. Professionals who can provide substance abuse assessments include certified substance abuse counselors (CSAC), psychiatrists, advanced practice registered nurses (APRN), psychologists, and licensed clinical social workers. The principal or designee can approve suspensions of one to ten school days. The complex area superintendent shall approve suspensions exceeding ten school days. In exercising this discretion and determining disciplinary actions, the principal or designee shall consider, the nature and severity of the offense, the impact of the offense on others, the age of the offender, and if the offender is a repeat offender. If the student is excluded from attending school, the principal or designee shall ensure that alternate educational activities or other appropriate student support assistance shall be provided, and that the student is referred for appropriate intervention or treatment services, or both, as determined by the principal or designee in consultation with the appropriate school staff or in accordance with the Hawaii administrative rules for students with disabilities, if applicable.

(b) Any child who, while attending school, is found to be in possession of a firearm, shall be excluded from attending school for not less than one year. The due process procedures of chapter 19 of the Department of Education, Hawaii Administrative Rules, shall apply to any child who, while attending school, is alleged to be in possession of a firearm. The superintendent, on a case-by-case basis, may modify the exclusion of a child found to be in possession of a firearm while attending school. If a child is excluded from attending school, the superintendent shall ensure that substitute educational activities or other appropriate assistance shall be provided. The superintendent shall submit to the United States Department of Education, the state board of education, and the legislature an annual report indicating the number of students excluded, the types of firearms found in their possession, and the schools from which they were excluded.