SB 598 - This act authorizes detention, suspension or expulsion of elementary and secondary students in possession of tobacco products on school property. Schools are required to post signs indicating that possession of tobacco products is prohibited.

The act also prohibits the purchase, attempt to purchase, or possession of tobacco products by persons less than 18 years old. Tobacco products shall be confiscated from minors, who must attend an anti-tobacco program, if available. For the first violation, minors must serve 16 hours of community service or pay a $25 fine, and their drivers' licenses must be suspended for 10 days. For a second violation, the penalty is 25 hours or a $50 fine, with a driver's license suspension of 30 days. Third and subsequent violations within 12 weeks of the first violation are penalized with 50 hours of community service or a $100 fine, and driver's license suspension for 6 months.

The act establishes an anti-tobacco peer court comprised of full-time students to assist with enforcement; recommendations of the peer court shall be reviewed by a judge.

Similar provisions are contained in the TAT version of HB 381.
JOAN GUMMELS