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Advocates push bill to bar suspensions for dress‑code and grooming violations, citing racial and gender disparities
Summary
Representative Brandy Fluker‑Reid and several advocacy groups urged the Joint Committee on Education to report favorably on H576/S368 to prohibit suspensions and expulsions for dress and grooming violations and to require clear, nondiscriminatory policies.
Representative Brandy Fluker‑Reid opened testimony in support of H576/S368, saying the bill "prohibits expulsions and suspensions for students who violate the dress code policy" and requires school policies to be objective, nondiscriminatory and respectful of student dignity. She described extreme enforcement incidents that she said should not occur.
Multiple witnesses including Rachel Tesovich (MassAppleseed), Nadia Romanazi (MassAppleseed), Kai Hines (community advisor, student) and Avery Farmer (Citizens for Juvenile Justice) provided research, lived experience and policy arguments. MassAppleseed highlighted a 2022 report finding Black girls are more likely to be disciplined and described student testimony that dress‑code enforcement creates over‑surveillance. The bill would prohibit suspension solely for a dress or grooming violation, require neutral application, and bar direct physical contact as part of enforcement.
Supporters framed the bill as a step to reduce gateways into the school‑to‑prison pipeline, citing DESE data from 2022–23 that a disproportionate share of suspension and expulsion days involved students of color. Proponents also said H576 would affirm students' First Amendment protections while limiting exclusionary discipline.
No committee action or vote was recorded during testimony. Witnesses said they would submit written materials to the committee.
Sources: Representative Brandy Fluker‑Reid; Rachel Tesovich (MassAppleseed); Nadia Romanazi (MassAppleseed); Kai Hines; Avery Farmer (Citizens for Juvenile Justice).
