HB 2385 Summary

• Prohibits school districts and charter schools from suspending or expelling preschool and kindergarten pupils except for willfully causing/threatening serious bodily injury to another person (excluding self-defense) or possessing/furnishing firearms, knives, explosives, or other dangerous objects on school property.

• Allows superintendents or principals to transfer preschool and kindergarten pupils to another school as an alternative to suspension or expulsion if determined to be more appropriate due to the pupil's disabilities or special needs.

• Permits suspension of preschool and kindergarten pupils during pending investigations to determine if lawful suspension or expulsion under the act's narrow criteria is appropriate.

• Requires the superintendent of public instruction to issue guidelines to schools by March 1, 2020, regarding suspension and expulsion under this section, including recommendations on suspension length.

• Mandates that school districts and charter schools submit annual reports by July 15 to the superintendent of public instruction with detailed information on preschool and kindergarten pupils who were suspended or expelled.