HB4575 Summary

• Prohibits State Board of Education from revoking school district recognition status, revoking educator licenses, or prohibiting participation in athletics or activities for failing to comply with COVID-19 mitigation policies during a declared public health emergency.

• Expands definition of "isolated time out" and "time out" to include isolation of physically healthy students when stated as COVID-19 mitigation, and prohibits using these disciplinary measures solely for refusing to comply with COVID-19 mitigation efforts like mask wearing.

• Requires students isolated for COVID-19 reasons to be readmitted to regular classroom after presenting negative COVID-19 test or physician documentation, and mandates prior parental consent or court order for such isolation.

• Grants school boards sole authority to enforce disciplinary actions for students refusing COVID-19 mitigation efforts, with appeals process to school board and circuit court; requires clear and convincing evidence that mitigation efforts are justified and meaningful.

• Effective immediately upon becoming law.