HF514

Purpose

This bill changes how schools can use discipline with younger students. It aims to stop formal dismissals from school for most students in preschool through third grade, keeping younger children in school while districts look for other ways to address behaviors.

Main Provisions

• Prohibition on disciplinary dismissals: A pupil in preschool, prekindergarten, or kindergarten through grade 3 is not subject to disciplinary dismissals under the relevant discipline chapter.
• Short-term dismissals exception for special education: The prohibition does not apply to dismissals from school for less than one school day, but only as provided under chapter 125A and federal law for students receiving special education services.
• Expulsions and exclusions still possible, with safeguards: Expulsions and exclusions may be used only after the district has exhausted the resources described in subdivision 2, and only in situations where there is an ongoing serious safety threat to the student or others.

Changes from Current Law

• Narrows or eliminates long-term dismissals (removals from school) for most students in early grades (preschool through grade 3).
• Maintains a pathway for short-term removals for students with special education needs, under existing special education rules.
• Sets a prerequisite that expulsions and exclusions require first using specified resources to address behavior, rather than immediate removal.

Implementation & Safeguards

• Requires districts to exhaust specified resources before considering expulsions or exclusions.
• Limits the use of expulsions to serious safety threats, ensuring that very young students are not removed from class without trying alternatives.

Relevant Terms - Disciplinary dismissals prohibited - Preschool - Prekindergarten - Early childhood family education - School readiness - School readiness plus - Voluntary prekindergarten - Head Start - Kindergarten through grade 3 - Expulsions - Exclusions - Chapter 125A - Special education services - Resources outlined in subdivision 2 - Ongoing serious safety threat - Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 121A.425 subdivision 1