Assembly Bill 614 aims to enhance teachers' authority in managing classroom behavior and improve communication with parents regarding disruptive incidents. The bill explicitly grants teachers the authority to maintain order, establish classroom rules, call for emergency assistance, and take immediate action in response to dangerous or disruptive behavior. It modifies the conditions under which a teacher can remove a pupil from class, allowing removal for a broader range of disruptive behaviors, including participation in violent incidents and repeated non-compliance with classroom rules. The bill also mandates that school principals must follow specific policies regarding the removal and potential return of students to the classroom, including the requirement for a behavior intervention plan for persistently disruptive pupils.

Additionally, the bill requires school boards to notify parents of certain disruptive incidents involving their children and to adopt written policies on reasonable safety measures to address such incidents. It establishes a process for parents to take legal action against school boards for non-compliance with notification requirements or safety policies. Furthermore, the bill protects teachers from retaliation for enforcing classroom rules and allows them to terminate their contracts without penalty if they are victims of violence by students. Overall, the bill seeks to create a safer and more structured educational environment by empowering teachers and ensuring parental involvement in addressing student behavior.

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