Senate committee approves repeal that gives districts flexibility for expelled students, members express concern

The Senate Education Committee voted to advance HB 15 39 after a sustained discussion over whether striking current statutory language would leave expelled students without educational options.

Senator Brianne Davis (State Senate District 25), who presented the bill, said the measure "just gives flexibility in how [districts] provide that education for students who are expelled" and would allow districts to use third-party digital providers or other existing programs rather than having teachers provide daily lessons in-house. She told the committee that related language requiring districts to include programs or alternative measures for suspended or expelled students remains on the books in code section 6 18 5 0 2 and that districts remain accountable for student engagement and graduation metrics.

Senator Chesterfield and others expressed concern that deleting the statutory 'shall offer' language could create uncertainty for students who are suspended or expelled and urged the sponsor to provide the cross-reference to the existing code. The sponsor provided the citation in the hearing and staff said the code still requires districts to maintain measures for continued student engagement and access to education.

Motion 'do pass' was made by Senator Davis and seconded by Senator Dodson; the committee voted to advance the bill.