SB 1230 Summary

• Requires school districts and public school academies to consider seven specific factors before suspending or expelling a pupil, including age, disciplinary history, disability status, violation severity, safety threats, restorative practices, and whether lesser interventions would suffice.

• Establishes a rebuttable presumption that suspensions exceeding 10 days or expulsions are unjustified unless the school demonstrates consideration of all required factors and holds a hearing complying with section 1310e.

• Mandates that for suspensions over 10 days, alternative placements over 10 days, or expulsions, schools must hold a hearing within 10 days and provide parents at least 5 days' notice by telephone and mail or email.

• Requires notice to include the disciplinary complaint, hearing details, justification for the decision, evidence summary, all relevant documents and video recordings, hearing procedures, pupil rights (including right to attorney representation), and warnings about testimony before law enforcement.

• Allows pupils or parents to request a closed hearing without public presence, law enforcement, or security guards except as necessary for safety; permits document redaction to protect pupil privacy.

• Does not apply to expulsions for firearm possession in weapon-free school zones.

• Effective only if Senate Bill No. 1228 is also enacted into law.