Bill > H355

This bill, concerning student conduct and disciplinary actions in public schools, aims to introduce intermediary steps before resorting to suspension or expulsion for extended periods. Specifically, it mandates that if a school suspends or expels a significant number of students for more than 15 consecutive days in a school year, the commissioner must investigate and recommend alternative approaches. The results of this analysis will be publicly reported at the school district level. Furthermore, the bill clarifies the notification process for suspensions and expulsions, requiring that students and their parents or guardians receive written notification of their right to appeal and the appeal process in their primary language if the suspension or expulsion exceeds 11 consecutive school days for a single infraction or 15 consecutive school days for multiple infractions. For younger students in kindergarten through grade 3, principals or headmasters must notify the superintendent in writing about any out-of-school suspension, which is defined as removing a student from school activities for one or more days. The bill also establishes a clear appeal process to the superintendent for suspensions or expulsions exceeding these timeframes, outlining timelines for requesting an appeal, holding a hearing, and rendering a decision, with provisions for extensions and good-faith efforts to include parents or guardians in the process.