Amends the School Code. Provides that early childhood programs receiving State funds shall restrict suspensions. Provides that the decision to suspend a student in preschool for 3 or more days may only be made by the superintendent of the school district, director of an early childhood program, or their equivalent and that the length of the suspension for any student in preschool may not be longer than the number of days required by the school district or early childhood program to develop and implement a behavior intervention plan or safety plan. Prohibits a student in kindergarten through grade 2 from being expelled unless otherwise required by federal or State law. Provides that the decision to suspend a student in kindergarten through grade 2 for 3 or more days may only be made by the superintendent of the school district and that the length of the suspension for any student in kindergarten through grade 2 may not be longer than the number of days required by the school district to develop and implement a behavior intervention plan or safety plan. Provides that a student who is suspended in excess of 20 school days may be immediately transferred to an alternative program. Provides that a student shall not be denied transfer because of the suspension, except in cases in which such transfer is deemed to cause a threat to the safety of students or staff in the alternative program. Makes other changes.
House Floor Amendment No. 1: Replaces everything after the enacting clause with the provisions of the introduced bill, and makes the following changes: Provides that the decision to suspend a student in preschool for 4 (rather than 3) or more days shall be made by superintendent of the school district, director of an early childhood program, or their equivalent. Allows a student in kindergarten through grade 2 to be expelled under the federal Gun-Free Schools Act (rather than any federal or State law). Provides that students in kindergarten through grade 2 shall begin separated by beginning on July, 1 2026. Provides that beginning July 1,2026, the decision to suspend a student in kindergarten through grade 2 for 4 (rather than 3) or more days be made by anyone other than the superintendent of the district. Removes language that provides that: a student who is suspended in excess of 20 school days may be immediately transferred to an alternative program in, subject to the restrictions for transfer; and a student shall not be denied transfer because of the suspension, except in cases in which such transfer is deemed to cause a threat to the safety of students or staff in the alternative program. Provides that expulsion period modifications shall be in writing. Provides that a provision regarding the general standards for eligibility for funding are subject to specified limitations. Makes a corresponding change in the Department of Early Childhood Act.
Senate Committee Amendment No. 2: Replaces everything after the enacting clause with the provisions of the engrossed bill, and makes the following changes: Removes language providing that on or before July 31, 2026 and on or before each July 31 thereafter, each school district shall report student discipline data to the State Board of Education in the form and manner prescribed by the State Board. Provides instead that student discipline data shall be reported to the State Board annually by all school districts in the State, including State-authorized charter schools, in a form and manner as specified by the State Board, no later than July 31 for the previous school year and by July 31 of each year thereafter. Provides that no action may be brought against a school board for an expulsion in kindergarten through grade 2 under certain circumstances. Provides that any student in kindergarten through grade 2 placed in an out-of-district alternative learning opportunities program shall have the student's placement limited to 90 days beginning on the student's first date of attendance in the program. Requires the superintendent of a school district, the director of an early childhood program, or the superintendent's or director's equivalent to provide verbal or written approval to suspend a student in preschool for longer than 3 days and, if such approval is not received by the third day, the student shall return to school by the fourth day. Makes other changes. Adds a varied effective date.
Senate Floor Amendment No. 4: Replaces everything after the enacting clause with the provisions of Senate Amendment No. 2, with the following changes: Provides that for suspensions of longer than 3 days, the length of the suspension for any student in kindergarten through grade 2 shall (rather than may) not be for longer than the number of days required by the school district to review, amend, develop, or implement a behavior intervention plan or safety plan (instead of providing that the length of the suspension for any student in kindergarten through grade 2 may not be for longer than the number of days required by the district to develop and implement a behavior intervention plan or safety plan). Provides that for suspensions of longer than 3 days, the length of the suspension for any student in preschool shall (rather than may) not be for longer than the number of days required by the school district or early childhood program to review, amend, develop, or implement a behavior intervention plan or safety plan (instead of providing that the length of the suspension for any student in preschool may not be for longer than the number of days required by the district or early childhood program to develop and implement a behavior intervention plan or safety plan). Varied effective date.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 105 ILCS 5/2, 105 ILCS 5/10, 105 ILCS 5/13
Engrossed: 105 ILCS 5/2, 105 ILCS 5/10, 105 ILCS 5/13, 325 ILCS 3/15