DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part of the
legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute part of the law
or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HB 824 Original 2020 Regular Session Carpenter
Abstract: Provides relative to reasons for out-of-school suspension and expulsion for students in
grades 8 and below.
Present law provides for discipline of students, including suspension and expulsion, in public
elementary and secondary schools. Provides actions for which a student may be suspended or
expelled and procedures related to such disciplinary measures.
Proposed law generally retains present law as applicable to students in grades nine through 12.
Provides that a student in grades pre-K through eight may be suspended only for acting in a way that
is intended to cause significant bodily harm or emotional distress to another person.
Proposed law requires, prior to any suspension or expulsion, that the student be assessed using an
instrument developed by the Centers for Disease Control that is designed to determine if the student
has experienced trauma. Requires that the results of the assessment be used to determine whether
the student's behavior may be better addressed in another manner.
Present law prohibits suspension of students in grades pre-K through five for uniform violations.
Proposed law makes the prohibition applicable to all students.
(Amends R.S. 17:416(A)(3)(a)(intro. para.) and (b)(i), (B)(1)(b)(i) and (ii)(bb) and (cc), (C)(1) and
(2)(a) and (b), (D)(1), and (J)(1); Adds R.S. 17:416(A)(6); Repeals R.S. 17:416(C)(2)(c))