Bill > S294

This bill aims to remedy disparities in students' educational achievement by making changes to the existing law regarding the expulsion and suspension of students. The key provisions of the bill are: 1. It limits the grounds for expulsion from school to possession of dangerous weapons or controlled substances (excluding marijuana) on school premises or events. 2. It requires principals to provide written notification to students and their parents/guardians of charges and the right to a hearing prior to any exclusion, and outlines specific due process rights for the student, including the right to representation, access to evidence, and the opportunity to present witnesses and evidence. 3. It modifies the criteria for suspending or expelling a student who has been charged or convicted of a felony, requiring the principal to demonstrate a specific, documentable concern about the student's potential to inflict serious bodily injury on another person while in school. 4. It extends the notification, hearing, and due process rights to students who are suspended, in addition to those who are expelled. Overall, the bill aims to ensure fair and transparent procedures for student exclusions from school, while limiting the grounds for such actions.

Education

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/193/S294