AN ACT RELATING TO EDUCATION -- SCHOOL COMMITTEES AND SUPERINTENDENTS

SB 230 allows school administrators in Rhode Island to issue out-of-school suspensions for students in grades 6 and above if they pose a safety threat to others, not just for disruptive behavior. For students in preschool through fifth grade, suspensions require consultation with a mental health professional to ensure safety concerns cannot be addressed through support. The bill also mandates schools to annually review discipline data for racial, ethnic, or disability disparities and submit public reports on disciplinary actions, including use of force and referrals to law enforcement. These changes aim to clarify suspension criteria while increasing transparency around school discipline practices.