HB24-1216 Summary: Supporting Justice-Engaged Students in Education Act

• Establishes a "Justice-Engaged Students in Education Act" creating comprehensive educational rights for students involved in the criminal justice system, including those in adjudication, probation, detention, diversion, or community supervision.

• Requires local education providers to designate a point-of-contact person, promptly enroll/re-enroll justice-engaged students within 10 business days, provide graduation planning, and ensure privacy during law enforcement interactions at schools.

• Mandates the Department of Education develop guidance by August 1, 2026, and establish a statewide hotline by September 1, 2026, to provide referrals for legal advice, school options, and wraparound services.

• Requires an interagency working group (Education, Human Services, Youth Services, Judicial Department) to recommend data-sharing agreements, identification criteria for justice-engaged students, and credit transfer processes for youth in state custody, with recommendations due December 1, 2024.

• Appropriates $82,883 for the 2024-25 fiscal year to the Department of Education for student supports and encourages courts to consider students' educational progress when making detention and sentencing decisions.