NC H188

Requires governing bodies to use best practices in developing and enforcing discipline policies that do not discriminate against students based on race, ethnicity, national origin, gender, or disability, including consideration of federal guidance on discipline of students with disabilities.

Restricts long-term suspension and expulsion to serious violations that threaten safety of students, staff, or school visitors or substantially disrupt the educational environment; identifies minor violations (inappropriate language, noncompliance, dress code violations, minor physical altercations) that generally do not warrant such punishment.

Requires discipline policies to include measures to support suspended students, including measures to mitigate learning loss, and procedures for assigning students to in-school suspension with encouragement to use in-school suspension over removal from school building.

Modifies expulsion procedures for students 14 years of age or older by requiring the board of education to consider whether alternative education services may be offered before expulsion and to provide students notice of readmission petition rights.

Becomes effective beginning the 2023-2024 school year and applies to material changes to existing policies and all new policies established on or after July 1, 2023.