Senate Bill 1380 Summary

• School districts must consider and apply alternative in-school placement options before suspending students out-of-school, such as alternative school settings, classroom reassignment, or in-school detention.

• Students suspended out-of-school for more than 10 days have the right to appeal to the district board of education, which may appoint a hearing officer to conduct the hearing and render a final decision.

• Students in grades 6-12 who assault or attempt to cause bodily injury to school employees or volunteers shall be suspended for the remainder of the current semester and the next consecutive semester, with possible modification by the superintendent on a case-by-case basis.

• A school district shall not provide in-person education services to students suspended under assault provisions until the parent or guardian obtains an independent evaluation determining the student is not a threat to others.

• The bill takes effect July 1, 2014, with an emergency clause allowing it to take effect immediately upon passage and approval.