SLS 15RS-220 REENGROSSED
2015 Regular Session
SENATE BILL NO. 54
BY SENATOR BROOME
Prefiled pursuant to Article III, Section 2(A)(4)(b)(i) of the Constitution of Louisiana.
STUDENTS. Prohibits suspension or expulsion of students in grades prekindergarten
through five for certain uniform violations. (gov sig)
1 AN ACT
2 To enact R.S. 17:416(J) and 3996(B)(39), relative to discipline of students; to prohibit the
3 suspension or expulsion of students in grades prekindergarten through five from
4 school or from riding a school bus for uniform violations; to provide for measures
5 to address unacceptable behavior; and to provide for related matters.
6 Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
7 Section 1. R.S. 17:416(J) and 3996(B)(39) are hereby enacted to read as follows:
8 §416. Discipline of students; suspension; expulsion
9 * * *
10 J.(1) Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section or any other
11 provision of law, a student enrolled in grades prekindergarten through five shall
12 not be suspended or expelled from school or suspended from riding on any
13 school bus for a uniform violation that is not tied to willful disregard of school
14 policies.
15 (2) Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, this
16 Subsection shall apply to charter schools. Furthermore, no charter school shall
17 suggest to a parent that it has the authority to suspend or expel a student for a
Page 1 of 3
Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions. SB NO. 54
SLS 15RS-220 REENGROSSED
1 uniform violation that is not tied to willful disregard of school policies.
2 * * *
3 §3996. Charter schools; exemptions; requirements
4 * * *
5 B. Notwithstanding any state law, rule, or regulation to the contrary and
6 except as may be otherwise specifically provided for in an approved charter, a
7 charter school established and operated in accordance with the provisions of this
8 Chapter and its approved charter and the school's officers and employees shall be
9 exempt from all statutory mandates or other statutory requirements that are
10 applicable to public schools and to public school officers and employees except for
11 the following laws otherwise applicable to public schools with the same grades:
12 * * *
13 (39) Prohibits suspension or expulsion of students in grades
14 prekindergarten through five, R.S. 17:416(J).
15 * * *
16 Section 2. This Act shall become effective upon signature by the governor or, if not
17 signed by the governor, upon expiration of the time for bills to become law without signature
18 by the governor, as provided by Article III, Section 18 of the Constitution of Louisiana. If
19 vetoed by the governor and subsequently approved by the legislature, this Act shall become
20 effective on the day following such approval.
The original instrument was prepared by Jeanne Johnston. The following
digest, which does not constitute a part of the legislative instrument, was
prepared by Martha Hess.
DIGEST
SB 54 Reengrossed 2015 Regular Session Broome
Present law provides for the discipline of students for disorderly conduct in school, on
school playgrounds, while going to and from school, or during intermission or recess.
Proposed law retains present law for students in grades six through twelve, but prohibits the
suspension or expulsion of a student in grades prekindergarten through five from school or
suspended from riding on a school bus for a uniform violation that is not tied to willful
disregard of school policies.
Proposed law applies to charter schools. Further provides that no charter school shall
suggest to a parent that it is authorized to suspend or expel a student for a uniform violation
Page 2 of 3
Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions. SB NO. 54
SLS 15RS-220 REENGROSSED
that is not tied to willful disregard of school policies.
Effective upon signature of the governor or lapse of time for gubernatorial action.
(Adds R.S. 17:416(J) and 3996(B)(39))
Summary of Amendments Adopted by Senate
Committee Amendments Proposed by Senate Committee on Finance to the
engrossed bill
1. Changes grades subject to proposed law from kindergarten through three to
prekindergarten through five.
2. Limits bill to uniform violations that are not tied to willful disregard of
school policies.
3. Provides that proposed law applies to charter schools.
4. Prohibits charter schools from suggesting to a parent that it is authorized to
suspend or expel a student for a uniform violation that is not tied to willful
disregard of school policies.
Page 3 of 3
Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions.