HB5786 Summary

• Requires school boards to document specific reasons for expulsions and suspensions, including rationale for duration, and whether alternative interventions were attempted or deemed unavailable.

• Prohibits zero-tolerance policies that mandate suspension or expulsion for particular behaviors unless required by federal law or state code.

• Restricts out-of-school suspensions of 3 days or less to situations where student presence poses threat to school safety or disruption to learning, and requires suspensions longer than 3 days only after exhausting appropriate behavioral interventions.

• Requires students suspended out-of-school for longer than 4 days to receive appropriate support services and mandates school districts create policies for make-up work and re-engagement of suspended or expelled students.

• Authorizes school districts to establish in-school suspension programs beginning 2018-2019 school year focused on non-violent conflict resolution, with option to employ school social workers or licensed mental health professionals to oversee programs.