HB0216 Summary

• Allows school boards to suspend students for up to 10 school days or expel students for up to 2 calendar years (on case-by-case basis) if the student has been convicted of a violent felony and the student's continued presence would substantially harm the school's general welfare.

• Defines "violent felony" as a violent felony under the Medical School Matriculant Criminal History Records Check Act and allows boards to authorize superintendents or principals to make suspension/expulsion determinations.

• Permits school districts to immediately refer or transfer students to another attendance center or alternative school if the student has been charged with (not just convicted of) a violent felony.

• Applies these violent felony provisions to all school districts including special charter districts and Article 34 districts, and makes the provisions binding on charter schools.

• Takes effect immediately upon becoming law.