MS HB67

Adds a new provision allowing students with no prior disciplinary history to choose community service as an alternative to suspension or expulsion for conduct that would otherwise result in those punishments.

Requires community service program to be at least 40 hours in duration and supervised by the school district or a nonprofit organization with a collaborative relationship with the school district.

Permits students participating in the community service program to receive youth peer counseling as deemed appropriate by the school district.

Makes minor technical corrections to existing discipline plan language, including changes to pronoun references and clarification of which provisions must be incorporated into school district discipline plans.

Takes effect July 1, 2016.