Senate Bill 2123 Summary

• Amends Section 37-13-92 to establish clear standards for placing students in alternative school programs, including suspension over 10 days, parent referral for disciplinary problems, court orders, and classroom disruption.

• Prohibits automatic placement of children returning from out-of-home placement (mental health, juvenile justice, foster care) in alternative school unless they were previously placed there, the out-of-home placement resulted from a school handbook violation, or the principal determines they pose a serious harm threat.

• Requires written notice to parents or guardians when children are placed in alternative school under the specified conditions and allows parents to appeal the placement based on district disciplinary appeal policies.

• Mandates individual assessment and evaluation of children transitioning from out-of-home placement within five days (group homes/mental health) or ten days (youth court placement), including strength-needs assessment, academic evaluation, and transition plan to regular education.

• Requires school districts to submit annual reports by July 31 to the State Department of Education describing alternative school program reviews and compliance with state guidelines, with reports made available online for transparency.