Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that amends the circumstances that a superintendent may expel a student.

Highlights:

• Authorizes the superintendent of schools to expel a pupil for up to 180 school days for actions that the superintendent determines pose “imminent and severe endangerment" to the health and safety of other pupils or school employees, whereas existing law limited the number of days to 80 (Sec. 1). 

• Requires the superintendent to develop certain conditions that the pupil must satisfy prior to his or her reinstatement, including an assessment completed by a psychiatrist or school psychologist on whether the pupil poses a danger to the pupil’s self, other pupils, or school employees      (Sec. 1). 

• Requires the school district to pay for an assessment completed by a psychiatrist, psychologist, or school psychologist that is employed or contracted by the district (Sec. 1). 

• Specifies that the cost of the assessment by a psychiatrist, psychologist or school psychologist not contracted by the district shall first be referred to the pupil’s insurance, with any remaining costs to be split equally between the pupil’s parents and the district (Sec. 1). 

• Requires the superintendent, in consultation with the pupil and the pupil’s parent, guardian, or custodian, to develop a plan for the continued education of the pupil no later than 5 days after the beginning of the original expulsion date (Sec. 1). 

• Authorizes the superintendent to reinstate the pupil before or after the original expulsion period is completed if he or she has shown “sufficient rehabilitation” (Sec. 1).

• Defines “sufficient rehabilitation” as the completion of the original conditions developed by the superintendent with consideration of the pupil’s assessment by the psychiatrist or school psychologist (Sec. 1).  

• Authorizes the superintendent to extend the expulsion for an additional period of up to 90 school days if the pupil has not shown sufficient rehabilitation (Sec. 1).  

• Specifies that there is no limit on the number of times the superintendent may extend an expulsion (Sec. 1).

Full Bill Text