Assembly Bill 614 aims to enhance teachers' authority in managing classroom behavior and improve parental notification regarding disruptive incidents in schools. The bill explicitly grants teachers the authority to maintain order, establish classroom rules, call for emergency assistance, and take immediate action during dangerous or disruptive situations. It modifies the conditions under which a teacher can remove a pupil from class, allowing removal for a broader range of behaviors, including participation in violent incidents and repeated non-compliance with rules. The bill also mandates that school principals must follow the school board's policies on safety measures and the code of conduct when handling removed pupils, and it requires that a behavior intervention plan be in place for pupils removed due to violent incidents before they can return to class.

Additionally, the bill establishes requirements for school boards to notify parents about specific disruptive incidents involving their children, including violence or threats, and chronic disruptions affecting instructional time. It also mandates that school boards adopt written policies on reasonable safety measures to address disruptive and violent incidents. Parents are given the right to pursue a mandamus action against school boards for non-compliance with notification and policy requirements. Furthermore, the bill protects teachers from retaliation for enforcing classroom rules and requires school boards to notify teachers of these protections annually. It also allows teachers to terminate their contracts without penalty if they are victims of violence by pupils while on school premises.

Statutes affected:
Bill Text: 118.164(title), 118.164, 118.164(2)