California Senate: Schools can expel for sexting

Sacramento, California: So-called "sexting" would be added to the list of infractions that school officials can cite to expel students under a bill passed by the state Senate.

Senators on Tuesday unanimously passed SB919 by Sen. Ted Lieu, a Torrance Democrat. It defines sexting as sending or receiving sexually explicit pictures or video electronically.

Lieu says it's a growing problem in California schools. He cited a study saying one in five teens reported sending or posting nude or semi-nude pictures and videos of themselves.

State law allows school districts to punish students for behavior that occurs on school grounds, while coming to or leaving school, during lunch breaks or en route to school-sponsored activities.

The American Civil Liberties Union opposed the bill, which now goes to the Assembly.