NC H736

Repeals former school discipline statutes (G.S. 115C-390 and 115C-391) and replaces them with comprehensive new discipline provisions establishing clear definitions, procedures, and standards for student suspensions, expulsions, and corporal punishment.

Establishes state policy balancing school safety with recognition that removal from school can harm student achievement, and defines key terms including short-term suspension (up to 10 days), long-term suspension (more than 10 days), expulsion, and firearm/destructive device.

Requires local boards to adopt discipline policies with a Code of Student Conduct; prohibits mandatory long-term suspensions or expulsions except as required by state or federal law; restricts long-term suspension and expulsion to serious violations threatening safety or substantially disrupting education.

Provides procedural protections for students facing long-term suspension or expulsion including written notice to parents, right to formal hearing with representation, opportunity to present evidence, and right to appeal to the local board and seek judicial review.

Requires 365-day suspension for students possessing firearms or destructive devices on school property, with exceptions for students who found or received the weapon and immediately reported it to school personnel; mandates annual reporting to State Board on corporal punishment administration by race, gender, grade level, and disability status.