House committee hears bill to clarify school discipline and readmission after firearm incidents

Chair Santos opened the public hearing on House Bill 2246, which staff counsel Megan Wardacki presented as an update and clarification of existing rules for firearm-related discipline in public elementary and secondary schools. Wardacki told the committee the bill extends provisions authorizing up to one-year expulsions to charter schools, state tribal education compact schools, the school for the blind, the Center for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Youth and educational service districts (ESDs), except when an ESD is acting as an institutional education provider. She also summarized procedural protections the bill preserves, including a reengagement meeting within 20 days of disciplinary action and a requirement that reengagement plans be re-evaluated every six months until the student is fully re-enrolled.

Representative…