Committee advances student-discipline bill with staff-protection amendment

A legislative committee advanced a student-discipline bill that would require school districts to adopt written discipline policies spelling out classroom removals, temporary classroom referrals, employee authority and procedures for reentry plans.

The draft distinguishes temporary referrals from formal classroom removals, requires that students continue to receive educational services during removals and that reentry plans be developed as soon as practicable and no later than two school days after removal. It also requires written notice to initiating employees and specifies that written reasons must be provided if the outcome differs materially from an employee's recommendation.

Supporters said the bill reflects a stakeholder consensus while preserving district authority. "This bill draft is the result of that with the drafting instructions" and "it does convey most of the interest that we discussed," a sponsor representative said during the walk-through. The Department of Education was assigned to develop model policies and provide technical assistance, and the draft includes reporting requirements to let the committee monitor implementation.

The measure includes a repealer removing statutory immunity for corporal punishment, but the committee accepted a conceptual amendment to preserve limited protections for staff who use reasonable physical guidance or restraint while administering discipline. Brian Farmer of the Wyoming School Boards Association urged that change, saying, "Let's not be spanking kids. Let's not inflict pain or, force, for punishment and agree with that," while also arguing staff who physically intervene should retain some legal protection to keep schools safe.

The committee voted to advance the draft with the amendment conceptually incorporated; conforming language will be prepared by staff. The motion to move the bill passed by roll call (as recorded in committee minutes), and the measure will proceed to the next step in the legislative process.