AZ SB1628

Limits expulsions to one year and suspensions to 15 school days maximum, with schools required to provide alternative education settings for expelled or suspended students.

Requires schools to notify expelled students and families within five days of expulsion and provide information on at least three accessible alternative educational options, including online options.

Establishes restrictions on suspensions and expulsions for students in prekindergarten through fourth grade, allowing only for weapon possession, drug-related violations, or immediate safety threats, and requires schools to attempt alternative interventions first.

Mandates quarterly reporting by school districts and charter schools to the Department of Education on student suspensions, expulsions, alternative reassignments, restraint and seclusion use, and demographic data (age, gender, race, ethnicity, English learner status, disability status).

Removes mandatory one-year expulsion for students bringing firearms to school and changes mandatory expulsion for threatening an educational institution to discretionary, allowing case-by-case modifications and alternative reassignments if students participate in mediation or community service.