A. All schools are required to have policies prohibiting possession of firearms and other weapons and imposing penalties for such possession in conformity with R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-21-18 and the " Gun Free Schools Act ", 20 U.S.C. § 8921 et seq.

1. All school districts must ensure the discipline policies regarding incidents of students in possession of weapons are imposed on a case-by-case basis.

(a) If a student is found to be carrying a weapon, as defined in § 11-47-42, a firearm or replica of a firearm, or commits an aggravated assault on school grounds as defined in § 11-47-60, the principal or designee shall immediately notify the student's parents and the local police and turn the weapon over, if any, to the local enforcement agency. (b) Any person who has reasonable cause to know that any person is in violation of this Statuteshall notify the principal or designee. The principal or designee shall immediately notify the student's parents and the local police. Any person acting in good faith who makes a report under this section shall have immunity from any civil liability that might otherwise be incurred or imposed as a result of making the report. (c) School superintendents shall receive notice from the clerk of the family court regarding the disposition of all cases involving juveniles from their school districts adjudged pursuant to this statute. This information shall remain confidential and be shared with school officials who deal directly with the student. (d) The provisions of this section should not apply to the following activities when the activities are officially recognized and sanctioned by the educational institution: (1) Firearm instructed and/or safety course; (2) Government-sponsored military-related programs such as ROTC; (3) Interscholastic shooting and/or marksmanship events; (4) Military history and firearms collection courses and/or programs; and (5) The use of blank guns in theatrical and/or athletic events. (e) The provisions of this section shall not apply to colleges, universities or junior colleges.

The school penalty for bringing or possessing a weapon as defined in 18 U.S.C. § 921, a firearm or realistic replica of a firearm within school premises, premises being used for school purposes or activities, into a vehicle used for school transportation, or onto a roadway or path along which school children or teachers are walking to school shall be suspension from school for one year. This penalty will also be incurred when a student is not on school premises but when he or she aims a firearm or realistic replica of a firearm at school premises, school vehicles, or students, staff, or visitors attending school or in transit to or from school. This term of suspension may be shortened by the superintendent of schools on a case-by-case basis and under guidelines to be developed by the school committee with broad parent, teacher, and community involvement.