New Illinois Bill Limits School Suspensions and Bans K-2 Expulsions

This bill changes disciplinary procedures for all Illinois public school students by prohibiting K-2 expulsions and requiring superintendent approval for suspensions exceeding three days.

• •Expulsions are prohibited for students in kindergarten through second grade, unless required by state or federal law.
• •School districts are banned from using zero-tolerance policies that mandate automatic suspensions or expulsions, unless required by law.
• •Suspensions exceeding three days require approval from the district superintendent.
• •Suspensions longer than three days must be limited to the time necessary to create a behavior or safety plan.
• •School boards may authorize administrators to suspend students for up to 10 days for serious offenses.
• •Longer suspensions, expulsions, or removals are only permitted if other disciplinary options have been exhausted and the student poses a safety risk or serious disruption.
• •Schools must provide support services to students suspended for more than three days.
• •Students suspended or expelled for more than 20 days may be enrolled in an alternative learning program.
• •Schools generally cannot deny the transfer of a student unless the student poses a safety threat.