Committee advances bill requiring schools to consider adverse childhood experiences before long suspensions or expulsions

Senator (speaker 3) presented SB140 to require school districts to request information about adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) before implementing disciplinary actions that exceed 10 cumulative days out of school and to consider positive behavioral supports prior to long suspensions or expulsions.

The sponsor described the bill as narrowly focused on exclusions longer than 10 days and said the measure provides definitions, lists potential information sources and requires that findings inform consideration of behavioral supports. "We're talking about altering a child's life and their trajectory," the sponsor said, arguing that additional context can help administrators pursue supportive interventions instead of exclusionary discipline.

Representative Jamie Scott (speaker 6), who helped craft joint notes with the sponsor, told the committee the bill is designed to let schools view misbehavior in context and provide services for children facing trauma such as domestic violence or parental separation. The sponsor and Representative Scott said ADE would develop the positive behavioral supports standards and that some COVID relief funding is available to support initial work.

Committee members asked about funding and implementation timelines; the sponsor said many districts already use similar practices while others will need guidance and time to implement. With no public opposition in committee, members moved and passed the bill.

The bill now proceeds to the next legislative stage with implementation oversight anticipated from the Arkansas Department of Education.