The bill, H.B. No. 3551, aims to enhance the process for a school district student's reentry into a regular educational environment from an alternative education program, while also emphasizing parental involvement in this transition. Key amendments include the introduction of a "personalized school reentry plan" that must be developed by the campus administrator, which will outline recommendations for the student's educational placement and provide information regarding special education evaluations. The bill mandates that within five instructional days of a student's release from an alternative program, a meeting must be held to coordinate the student's enrollment and reentry, involving the student's parent or guardian and relevant school personnel.

Additionally, the bill modifies existing legal language to replace terms like "transition" with "reentry" to better reflect the focus on reintegrating students into regular educational settings. It also stipulates that the campus administrator must provide parents with a list of individuals involved in the reentry process and offer them the opportunity to discuss the plan. The provisions of this bill are set to take effect starting with the 2025-2026 school year, and it may be enacted immediately if it receives the necessary legislative approval.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Education Code 37.023 (Education Code 37)