Relating to elementary behavior intervention and safety

Title expanded to include behavioral health agency partnerships, mandatory social worker meetings for alternative placement students, and statewide disciplinary policy requirements

New requirement for students in alternative learning centers or placements to meet regularly with school social workers to address behavioral and mental health concerns

Protocol established for when kindergarten through sixth grade teachers determine student behavior is violent, threatening, or intimidating toward staff or peers

Mandate for county boards to partner with licensed behavioral health agencies as an option for correcting student behaviors

Expanded list of qualified behavioral support providers to include school counselors, school social workers, school psychologists, or behavior interventionists

Replaced 'school psychologist' with 'school psychologist, or behavior interventionist' in multiple sections to broaden eligibility of qualified behavioral support professionals.

Added new subsection requiring that the bill not conflict with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act or Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

Added behavior specialists, board certified behavior analysts, and other qualified employees with behavioral expertise to the list of professionals who can provide behavioral support to students

Extended applicability to include pre-K teachers at publicly funded facilities

Modified requirements for behavioral support provision to include the newly added categories of professionals

Added specific protocols for elementary school teachers (K-6) to follow when a student exhibits violent, threatening, or intimidating behavior, requiring functional behavioral assessments and evidence-based interventions.

Created new procedures for when county boards lack access to behavioral intervention programs, including immediate student removal, parent notification, and specific suspension timelines.

Required that school social workers provide training to school personnel on alternatives to traditional discipline practices.

Mandated that students in alternative learning centers or behavioral health agencies meet regularly with school social workers to develop transition plans back to regular classrooms.

Modified the re-entry process for excluded students to require behavioral plans developed by school counselors, social workers, or psychologists before readmission.

Added clear definitions for key terms including 'principal', 'school counselor', 'school social worker', and 'school psychologist' to ensure consistent application of the law.

Added provisions requiring the State Board of Education to adopt a statewide disciplinary policy, with waivers available for counties with existing effective programs.

Added a new subsection prohibiting suspension solely for a student's failure to attend class, requiring alternative discipline methods instead.

Added detailed protocols for elementary school (K-6) teachers to refer violent or threatening behavior to behavioral specialists for assessment and intervention plans.

Added specific suspension and re-entry procedures for students when a county board lacks access to a behavioral intervention program, including risk assessments and provisional return periods.

Added requirements for middle and high school teachers to report disorderly conduct within 24 hours and establish electronic records in the state education system.

Added a new requirement for the State Board of Education to promulgate a statewide disciplinary policy with waiver options for counties with effective existing programs.

Added a new subsection clarifying that nothing in the bill conflicts with federal laws including the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.

Added new subsections defining 'Principal', 'School counselor', 'School social worker', 'School psychologist', and 'Student' with specific legal references.

Expanded the list of qualified behavioral support personnel to include behavior specialists and board certified behavior analysts in addition to school social workers and psychologists.

New requirements for functional behavioral assessments and evidence-based interventions when elementary teachers identify violent or threatening student behavior

Mandatory partnerships with licensed behavioral health agencies as an option for addressing chronic disruptive student behaviors

Requirement for students in alternative learning centers or behavioral health placements to meet regularly with school social workers for transition planning

New protocol requiring school counselors, social workers, or psychologists to develop behavioral re-entry plans before student readmission

State Board of Education must adopt statewide disciplinary policy with waiver provisions for districts with behavioral interventionists

Changed suspension protocols for students without access to behavioral intervention programs to include immediate removal, parental notification, and risk assessments

Added specific definitions for 'violent, threatening, or intimidating' behavior and 'disorderly or obstructive' behavior

Expanded teacher appeal procedures when principals refuse classroom exclusions or end exclusions prematurely