
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, February 12, 1991                   TAG: 9102120537
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B-3   EDITION: EVENING 
SOURCE: From wire reports
DATELINE: RICHMOND                                LENGTH: Medium

SENATE SENDS SCHOOL UNIFORM BILL TO WILDER

After heated debate in which it was branded both a lifesaver and a threat to free speech, the Senate on Monday approved a bill to allow local schools to adopt uniforms for their students.

A 20-16 vote sent the bill, sponsored by Del. Kenneth Melvin, D-Portsmouth, to Gov. Douglas Wilder for his signature. The House had approved the measure earlier this month.

Melvin argued the bill would help prevent violence in inner-city schools, where students who wear expensive sneakers, jackets, or other items of clothing sometimes are assaulted and robbed by envious classmates.

A coalition of conservatives and liberals, however, attacked the bill fiercely in Monday's debate. Some critics suggested the bill infringed on the right of self-expression.

The bill would not require uniforms, and it specifies that there can be no penalties for students who refuse to participate. Critics contend this makes the bill meaningless, but supporters argue that most parents would welcome regulations and that up to 95 percent of the students would wear uniforms, even under a voluntary system.

Supporters said the bill was needed for inner-city schools, where poor students face peer pressure to wear expensive fashions. Some students have been robbed of jackets and fashionable sneakers.

Jet skis

The Senate Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources Committee unanimously approved a bill Monday that would bar children younger than 14 from operating jet skis.

"Jet skis are a lot of fun and are very dangerous," said Del. Howard Copeland, D-Norfolk and the bill's sponsor. Since July 1, three people have been killed in jet ski accidents in Virginia, he said. Jet skis are popular for recreation use on Smith Mountain Lake.

Sen. Clive DuVal, D-McLean, tried unsuccessfully to amend the bill to raise the minimum age for operating jet skis from 14 to 16.

"It's an awfully weak bill," DuVal said.

The committee did amend the bill to have it take effect this spring rather than July 1 and to ban jet ski use after sunset and before sunrise.

Gun safety

Supporters and opponents of a bill making it a crime to recklessly leave a loaded gun in reach of a child have another week to twist the arms of House Militia and Police Committee members.

The panel heard Monday why the National Rifle Association opposes Sen. Moody Stallings' bill, and it heard why police and some individuals favor it.

However, the committee postponed voting on the measure until Feb. 18, the last day for committee action.

The bill would allow up to a year of jail time for people convicted of recklessly leaving a loaded firearm where a child under age 15 could get it.

Budget compromise

The House and Senate rejected each others' budget plans, setting up the conference committee to work out a budget compromise.

Republican legislators, meanwhile, promised to support Wilder if he vetoes spending proposals in the compromise budget bill.

by CNB