Democrat John Cloutier, of Claremont, has proposed a bill that would require any student who threatens to harm another student, teacher, administrator of staff member to undergo a psychiatric evaluation. If the student, or his or her parents, refuse to comply with the state dictate, the school or police could petition the court to either enact sanctions, or force the test.

Many questions arise when looking at this issue. Representative Cloutier is justifiably worried about the dangers posed to children and government school employees by children who may wish to do them harm. Critics of his proposal wonder about its ambiguities, its efficacy, and the dangers it would pose for abuse and the tarnishing of a child's reputation.

Hear Representative Cloutier discuss the bill, on "Against the Grain".