HB576 Summary

• School districts must include alternatives to expulsion, suspension, in-school suspension, and after-school detention in their discipline plans, requiring input from students, educational personnel, and parents.

• Alternative disciplinary approaches include behavior monitoring with check sheets and feedback sessions, negotiated behavior contracts, alternative programming for secondary students, structured behavior support plans, de-escalation training for staff, positive reinforcement systems, and improved parent communication.

• Before placing a student in an alternative school program, the superintendent must determine that the written disciplinary policy is being followed and all other alternative disciplinary actions in the district's Code of Conduct have been exhausted.

• The State Board of Education must develop a list of evidence-based conflict resolution and mediation materials and curricula for local school districts before each school year.

• School districts must report expulsion information to the State Department of Education, including details on any alternative disciplinary actions and interventions used before expulsion; effective July 1, 2018.