HB 5442 Summary

• Requires mandatory suspension or expulsion for grade 6+ students who commit physical assault against other students at school, with expulsion up to 180 school days.

• Mandates permanent expulsion for grade 6+ students who commit physical assault against school staff/volunteers, with reinstatement possible after 180 school days if petition approved by review committee.

• Changes conditional reinstatement requirements from permissive ("may require") to mandatory ("shall require") written agreements to behavior contracts, anger management, or counseling before students can return to school.

• Prevents non-resident students expelled from other districts during current or immediately preceding school year from enrolling in receiving district during expulsion period.

• Establishes formal reinstatement petition process with committee review, specific waiting periods (60-180 school days depending on grade and offense), and consideration of factors including risk of harm, student age/maturity, school record, and behavior since expulsion.