Bill > SB147

This bill establishes the Exclusionary Practices Act, which sets strict limitations on expulsions and suspensions in early childhood education settings in New Mexico. The bill defines key terms such as "enrolling entity" (which includes pre-kindergarten and child care programs serving children aged six weeks to five years), and introduces nuanced definitions of expulsion, suspension, and "soft expulsion" (practices that make a program unwelcoming and force a parent to withdraw their child). The legislation prohibits expelling or suspending children for behavioral reasons, with a narrow exception allowing a three-day out-of-school suspension only if a child has willfully attempted to cause serious bodily injury to another person (except in self-defense). Enrolling entities must report any disenrollments, expulsions, or suspensions to the early childhood education and care department, and the department is tasked with creating rules to implement the act. The bill explicitly allows parents to voluntarily withdraw their children and permits disenrollment for reasons unrelated to discipline. The new regulations will take effect on July 1, 2025, and aim to protect young children from exclusionary disciplinary practices that could disrupt their early educational experiences.

Education

https://www.nmlegis.gov/Legislation/Legislation?chamber=S&legtype=B&legno=147&year=25