Bill > H544

This bill aims to amend Chapter 15D of the General Laws to require the Department of Early Education and Care to develop performance standards for prohibiting or significantly limiting the use of suspension and expulsion in all licensed early education and care programs. The standards would ensure that expulsion or suspension is only used in extraordinary circumstances where there is a documented assessment that the child's behavior poses a serious ongoing threat to the safety of others that cannot be reduced or eliminated by reasonable program modifications. The bill outlines specific requirements for the standards, such as benchmarks for supporting children's social, emotional, and behavioral development, engagement steps with children and parents prior to suspension or expulsion, communication of disciplinary policies, and access to technical assistance for programs.

Budget and Finance, Education

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/H544