(a) If a student in a school district of the first class is a victim of an act of violence involving a weapon on school property and the student who possessed the weapon was not expelled under section 1317.2, the parent or guardian of the victim shall have standing to institute a legal proceeding to obtain expulsion of the student. (b) The Office of General Counsel shall have standing to bring an action on behalf of a victim or the parent or guardian of a victim of an act of violence in a school in a school district of the first class to modify, clarify or eliminate a consent decree that is related to discipline in the district if, in consultation with the advocate, the Office of General Counsel believes that the action is in the best interests of the students of the school district.

(a) Except as otherwise provided in this section, a school district or area career and technical school shall expel, for a period of not less than one year, any student who is determined to have brought onto or is in possession of a weapon on any school property, any school-sponsored activity or any public conveyance providing transportation to a school or school-sponsored activity. (b) Every school district and area career and technical school shall develop a written policy regarding expulsions for possession of a weapon as required under this section. Expulsions shall be conducted pursuant to all applicable regulations. (c) The superintendent of a school district or an administrative director of an area career and technical school may recommend modifications of such expulsion requirements for a student on a case-by-case basis. The superintendent or other chief administrative officer of a school entity shall, in the case of an exceptional student, take all steps necessary to comply with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (Public Law 91-230, 20 U.S.C. § 1400 et seq.). (d) The provisions of this section shall not apply to the following: (1) a weapon being used as part of a program approved by a school by an individual who is participating in the program; or (2) a weapon that is unloaded and is possessed by an individual while traversing school property for the purpose of obtaining access to public or private lands used for lawful hunting, if the entry on school premises is authorized by school authorities. (e) Nothing in this section shall be construed as limiting the authority or duty of a school or area career and technical school to make an alternative assignment or provide alternative educational services during the period of expulsion. (e.1) A school district receiving a student who transfers from a public or private school during a period of expulsion for an act or offense involving a weapon may assign that student to an alternative assignment or provide alternative education services, provided that the assignment may not exceed the period of expulsion. (f) All school districts and area career and technical schools shall report all incidents involving possession of a weapon prohibited by this section as follows: (1) The school superintendent or chief administrator shall report the discovery of any weapon prohibited by this section to local law enforcement officials. (2) The school superintendent or chief administrator shall report to the Department of Education all incidents relating to expulsions for possession of a weapon on school grounds, school-sponsored activities or public conveyances providing transportation to a school or school-sponsored activity. Reports shall include all information as required under section 1303-A. (g) As used in this section, the term “weapon” shall include, but not be limited to, any knife, cutting instrument, cutting tool, nunchaku, firearm, shotgun, rifle and any other tool, instrument or implement capable of inflicting serious bodily injury.