H.F. No. 3041 - Student Inclusion and Engagement Act

• Schools must use nonexclusionary disciplinary policies and practices, including positive behavior interventions and support, before removing or dismissing pupils except when the pupil creates immediate and substantial danger.

• School officials must attempt to provide alternative education interventions and strategies before suspending, excluding, or expelling students, with written documentation of these attempts required in discipline reports.

• Pupils through grade 5 and all pupils with disabilities must have an adult advocate present at administrative conferences; parents must be notified within 48 hours of removal or dismissal and meetings convened to develop re-engagement plans.

• School districts must report pupil removals and dismissals to the commissioner, including demographic data and details on nonexclusionary practices attempted; the commissioner must publish annual longitudinal reports disaggregated by student subgroups.

• Teachers and administrators must receive professional development on nonexclusionary discipline practices, understanding consequences of pupil exclusion, and alternative strategies such as restorative practices and culturally responsive discipline; appropriation provided for fiscal year 2017 implementation support.