Except as provided in section 8-19-14 regarding student lockers:

• (1) Random searches are prohibited.
• (2) Strip searches are prohibited.
• (3) A school official shall not conduct a search requiring bodily contact of a student except when such a search is necessary to prevent harm to the health or safety, or both of a person or persons.
• (4) In the course of a search, the use of force against a student is prohibited unless the school official believes that the force to be used is necessary to prevent harm to the health or safety, or both of a person or persons or where the student physically resists the search.
• (5) A search conducted under the provisions of this subchapter shall be limited to the object or objects for which the search was conducted. However, any other object observed during a search may be seized by a school official when possession of the object is a violation of law or the provisions of this chapter, or when non-seizure may pose a threat to the health or safety, or both of a person or persons, including the school official conducting the searc. [Eff 5/23/86; comp 7/19/93; comp 5/19/97; comp 2/22/01; am and comp 9/10/09] (Auth: HRS §302A-1112) (Imp: Hawaii Const. Art. X, §3; HRS §§302A-1101, 302A-1112)

§ 8-19-14. Policy Opening and Inspection of Student Lockers. School lockers provided to the students on campus are subject to opening and inspection (and external dog sniffs) by school officials at any time with or without cause, provided that the searches are not because of the student's race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender identity and expression, religion, disability, or sexual orientation. Section 15 shall have no applicability to the opening and inspection (and external dog sniffs) of student lockers. None of the restrictions in sections 8-19-15 through 8-19-18 or related to general school searches and seizures shall in any way be construed to create an expectation of privacy in student lockers. Students should assume that their lockers are subject to opening and inspection (and external dog sniffs) any time with or without cause.

[Eff 5/23/86; am and comp 7/19/93; comp 5/19/97; comp 2/22/01; am and comp 9/10/09] (Auth: HRS §302A-1112) (Imp: Hawaii Const. Art. X, §3; HRS §§302A-1101, 302A-1112)]

**§ 8-19-17. Conditions under which General School Searches and Seizures may be Carried Out. (a) Except as provided in section 8-19-14 regarding student lockers searches and seizures may be carried out by school officials when all of the following conditions are met:

• (1) If at the time of the search, there are reasonable grounds to suspect based on the attendant circumstances that the search will turn up evidence that the student or students have violated the law or provisions prohibited under this chapter.

• (2) The manner in which the search is to be conducted is reasonably related to the purpose of the search.

• (3) The student who will be subjected to a search shall be informed of the purpose of the search and shall be given an opportunity to voluntarily relinquish the evidence sought by the school official.

(b) The principal or designee of the school shall be informed by the school official who will conduct the search that a search is to be conducted and of the purpose of the search unless it is an emergency where immediate action is necessary to protect the health or safety, or both of a person or persons.

(c) If more than one student is suspected of committing a violation, then, if practical and not a risk to health or safety, the school official conducting the search shall start with the student most suspected of having the item sought in the search. [Eff 5/23/86; am and comp 7/19/93; am and comp 5/19/97; comp 2/22/01; am and comp 9/10/09] (Auth: HRS §§302A-1112, 703-309(2)) (Imp: Hawaii Const. Art. X, §3, HRS §§302A-1101, 302A-1112, 703-309(2))

§ 8-19-15. Policy on general school searches and seizures. Except as provided in section 8-19-14 regarding student lockers, students have a reasonable expectation of privacy in their persons 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. Schools have an equally legitimate need to maintain order and an environment where learning can take place. In fulfilling this legitimate need, school officials may on occasions need to carry out searches and seizures 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. As a general policy, except as provided in section 8-19-14 regarding student lockers, the searches and seizures are permissible if there are reasonable grounds to suspect, based on the attendant circumstances that the search will turn up evidence that the student or students have violated or are violating either the law or the student conduct prohibited under this chapter. Searches and seizures conducted by school officials shall abide by the provisions of this subchapter. [Eff 5/23/86; comp 7/19/93; comp 5/19/97; comp 2/22/01; am and com 9/10/09] (Auth: HRS §302A-1112) (Imp: Hawaii Const. Art. X, §3; HRS §§302A-1101, 302A-1112)]

§ 8-19-16. Authority. Except as provided in section 8-19-14 regarding student lockers, property may be searched if there are reasonable grounds to suspect, based on the attendant circumstances that the search will turn up evidence that student or students, or others 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 have violated the law or the provisions of this chapter. A school official conducting a search shall be accompanied by another school official serving as a witness, unless it is an emergency where prompt action is necessary to protect the health or safety, or both of any person or persons. [Eff 5/23/86; am and comp 7/19/93; comp 5/19/97; comp 2/22/01; am and comp 9/10/09] (Auth: HRS §302A-1112) (Imp: Hawaii Const. Art. X, §3; HRS §§302A-1101, 302A-1112)

"Search" means if after requesting the student to voluntarily relinquish the contraband item(s) and the student refuses and there are reasonable grounds to believe that the student has violated the law or provisions prohibited under this chapter, or if there is a health or safety issue with illicit drugs, dangerous weapons, dangerous instruments or firearms, or a combination of the foregoing, the school official may examine the contents and belongings which may include but are not limited to purses, fanny packs, backpacks, jackets, shoes, socks, or any other outer clothing.

"Seizure" means to take possession of the contraband item(s) that is or are uncovered during a search.

Policy addresses searches of students’ lockers, belongings and persons to maintain safety of the school environment.