( CNN ) -- A Connecticut teenager 's unique prom proposal at his school 's entrance , which resulted in him being banned from the event , is garnering legislative attention , according to one state representative . State Rep. Jason Perillo said he and fellow Republican state Rep. Sean Williams are drafting legislation that would allow school administrations , along with the parents and the student , to create a community-service option to determine the best course of discipline . This legislation comes after Shelton , Connecticut , high school senior James Tate , along with two friends , received an `` in-house '' suspension on Tuesday for pasting in large letters a prom invitation on his high school 's entrance . The message read , `` Sonali Rodrigues , Will you go to prom with me ? HMU ( Hit me Up ) -Tate . '' Rodrigues accepted Tate 's invitation . However , according to Shelton High School officials , any student who receives an in-school or out-of-school suspension for any reason will not be allowed to attend the prom , thereby banning Tate and his two friends . `` This regulation is reinforced over the course of the spring by daily ... announcements , posted signage in common areas of the building , and in classrooms , as well as information letters and automated phone messages to parents , '' Beth Smith , the school 's headmaster , said in a statement Thursday . `` These communications are intended to remind our students and parents of the high school expectations and consequences . This unfortunate situation is a result of one of those consequences . '' Tate told CNN that the invitation `` was a harmless , fun , thoughtful and creative way to ask a girl to prom . '' `` She 's my best friend , '' he said of Rodrigues , `` and I wanted to give her something special . '' Shelton Mayor Mark Lauretti admited he was surprised about the amount of attention the story has received , but he said he thinks that the prom ban deserves a second look . `` We put regulations in place that are inflexible and that do not allow for us to apply some common sense or have flexibility , '' said Lauretti . `` Their regulation says if a kid gets suspended after April 1st , they can not go to the prom . '' Tate 's prom ban is causing an outpouring of support for Tate and Rodrigues on Facebook ; over 110,000 people have `` liked '' the page `` Let James Tate Go To the Prom . '' One message reads , `` this punishment DOES NOT fit this crime at all ! ! ! , '' while another says , `` LET THE KID GO TO PROM ! '' T-shirts with the slogan `` Team Tate '' are also on sale . A website called `` James Tate Senior Prom 2011 '' is asking supporters to make donations to help him get the `` prom he deserves . '' Meanwhile , state legislator Perillo told CNN , `` I do think punishment is necessary but I do n't think the punishment fits the crime . '' `` It perhaps was n't smart , but creative , '' Tate 's mother Tracey said . `` I think they could have handled it differently , something more appropriate , '' she added . Calls to Shelton High School , the Connecticut State Department of Education and the Shelton school superintendent 's office were not returned . CNN 's Jesse Solomon contributed to this report .
James Tate decided to make a special invitation for his graduation night . He posted the invitation over the school 's entrance . The school imposed an in - school suspension and that banned Tate from the school . The incident has caught the attention of social media and even state legislators .