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Committee clears a package of smaller education bills, including vaccine‑exemption transparency and alternatives for expelled students
Summary
The committee approved a series of bills by voice vote: reporting of school vaccine‑exemption counts (no names), language requiring districts to provide alternative education for expelled/suspended students, provisional university positions for grant‑funded research, and changes to educator professional development rules.
The Senate Education Committee disposed of a package of smaller items and technical bills by voice vote.
Representative Justin Boyd's House Bill 1786 would require schools to publish the number and percentage of vaccine exemptions at each school (not individual names) to increase transparency; the committee approved the measure. Senator Joyce Elliott's House Bill 1790 asks districts to provide alternative educational options so expelled or suspended students can continue coursework and remain on track for graduation; the committee advanced that bill as well.
Other bills advanced included authorization for provisional positions at higher education institutions to accept federal or foundation‑funded researchers, a permissive change allowing certain large districts to expand school boards (discussed separately and approved by roll call), and statutory language allowing the Department of Education to move from an hours‑based professional development system to learning credits determined by the department.
Most items passed by voice vote with no formal roll‑call tallies noted in the transcript; the committee indicated it will reconvene Friday to consider remaining items.
