HF236

This bill pertains to education in Minnesota and focuses on modifying the rules around student discipline. Specifically, it changes key sections of existing statutes regarding the discipline of young students. The main points include:

1. Prohibition of disciplinary dismissals: The bill states that pupils in preschool programs, prekindergarten programs, and those from kindergarten through grade 3 cannot be dismissed from school as a form of discipline. These programs include early childhood family education, Head Start, and other similar early education initiatives.

2. Exceptions: The prohibition on dismissals does not apply if the dismissal is for less than one school day. However, exceptions must comply with federal law and Chapter 125A, which concerns students receiving special education services.

3. Use of expulsions and exclusions: The bill specifies that more severe disciplinary actions like expulsions and exclusions may only be considered after all other outlined resources and interventions have been tried and failed. Additionally, these severe actions can only be implemented in cases where a serious and ongoing safety threat exists either to the child involved or to others.

The bill aims to protect young learners from harsh disciplinary actions that might impact their early education experience, ensuring that only in severe cases are drastic measures considered, and only after other interventions are exhausted.