Alabama Senate Bill SB165

Alabama 2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/27/24
• Report Pass: 4/17/24
• Refer: 2/27/24

Caption

Public K-12 education, creates uniform process for suspension and expulsion of public school students, requires disciplinary hearing following long-term suspension or expulsion, State Board of Education required to adopt rules

Impact

The legislation is intended to provide a more standardized approach to student discipline across Alabama's public schools, addressing concerns over the variability of disciplinary policies among local education authorities. It emphasizes the importance of considering several factors before taking disciplinary action, such as the age and history of the student, as well as the nature of the infraction. Furthermore, it is designed to protect the rights of students, particularly those under the age of 12, who cannot be expelled or given long-term suspensions except under specific, serious circumstances.

Summary

SB165 aims to establish a uniform statewide system for procedural due process protections concerning the suspension and expulsion of public K-12 students in Alabama. The bill amends existing laws, specifically Section 16-1-14 of the Code of Alabama 1975, to require that all local boards of education adopt standards that ensure students have a clear process to contest disciplinary actions. This includes holding disciplinary hearings for students who face long-term suspensions or expulsion, providing necessary written notice to students and their guardians, and outlining their rights during hearings.

Contention

Discussions surrounding SB165 are likely to include debates over the balance of authority between state and local boards of education, with proponents arguing that a unified approach is necessary to ensure fairness and transparency in student discipline, while critics may contend that such centralization could limit local autonomy to address community-specific needs. The potential financial implications for local school systems in implementing state mandates on discipline may also arise as a point of contention among lawmakers and local education officials.