HB 135 (Reps. Howard, Williams, and Thomas - D)

Too Young to Suspend Act

Amends Chapter 1 of Title 20 of the O.C.G.A. by adding a new code section 20-1-11 which would prohibit the suspension or expulsion of any students in prekindergarten or kindergarten unless the school principal determines that the student has committed on the following acts:

• Willfully caused, attempted to cause, or threatened serious bodily injury to anothe person unless in self-defense.
• Possessed or furnished to another person a firearm, knife, explosive, or other dangerous substance while on school property.

There is a provision that allows the superintendent to transfer a student to another school if it would be a more apropriate placement or to suspend a student while an investigation into whether a student can be lawfully suspended is conducted.

The bill requires the state superintendent to issue guidelines for implementation by March 1, 2016 and for school districts to report all suspensions of pre-k ad kindergarten students by July 15th of  each year.