SB165 Summary

• Amends Alabama Code Section 16-1-14 to establish uniform statewide procedural due process protections for student suspensions and expulsions related to code of conduct or state law violations.

• Prohibits long-term suspension or expulsion of students under 12 years old unless behavior endangers physical safety, causes substantial classroom disruption, or causes intentional school property damage exceeding $1,000, and only as a last resort after other measures exhausted.

• Requires principals to consider student age, disciplinary history, violation seriousness, and availability of lesser interventions before recommending disciplinary action.

• Mandates disciplinary hearings before local school boards for long-term suspensions or expulsions, with written notice to student and parent/guardian, right to legal representation, access to evidence at least 5 days before hearing, ability to present defense and question witnesses, and written decision within 5 school days.

• Directs State Board of Education to adopt rules establishing factors for determining appropriate discipline and addressing implementation issues; effective October 1, 2024.