With stiffer penalties against juvenile offenders part of Missouri law, public schools throughout the state have been enlisted to relay the message.

House Bill 174, passed during the last session of the Missouri General Assembly, mandates tougher treatment of juveniles who commit serious crimes. As part of the law, schools are obligated to inform students and parents of the changes and of their rights. As classes begin, schools are complying by distributing pamphlets and letters or holding assemblies.

A key provision of the law allows that children as young as 12 may be prosecuted as adults for felony offenses. Previously, only children between 14 and 17 could be classified by a court as adults.

In the Jackson School District, students in grades six through 12 received a brochure published by the Missouri Bar outlining crimes frequently committed by juveniles as well as their rights if stopped or detained by police. Letters to parents were also sent. Children in the lower grades did not receive the pamphlet due to language about rape and sexual abuse.

"I thought it might not be appropriate for kindergarteners and first-graders," said Howard Jones, Jackson superintendent.

Jones encouraged parents to discuss the issues of juvenile crime and its consequences with their children.

Students in the Cape Girardeau School District were given similar information Tuesday. Teachers also spent some class time talking about the subject.

Another provision of the law allows for greater access to juvenile records. Such information, including an offender's identity, has in the past been strictly guarded. Victims, school officials, prosecutors and certain others may have access in specific situations. Also, in the case of major felonies, public disclosure of juvenile court proceedings is allowed as long as it doesn't reveal an offender's identity.

Chaffee School District Superintendent Ernie Lawson said the greater access will allow better communication between school and juvenile court officials. Such communication may inform school officials of students who pose a potential threat and allow them to take appropriate action.

Previously, students could be suspended for up to 90 days but the maximum suspension has been doubled to 180, the equivalent of one school year. Such action could be taken against students who commit crimes such as bringing lethal weapons to school or school-related functions.

The increased suspension power is intended to give officials greater authority to maintain a safe school environment.

"Superintendents and school officials are seeing more serious offenses of the law as well as school regulations," said Neyland Clark, Cape Girardeau superintendent.