HF3372 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))
Disciplinary dismissals for students in early learning programs modified.
AI Generated Summary
Purpose
- The bill aims to ensure full and equitable participation in early learning by limiting disciplinary dismissals and requiring supportive, non-punitive responses before removing students from early education programs.
Main Provisions
- Disciplinary dismissals prohibited for certain early learning programs:
- Applies to preschool or prekindergarten programs, including Early Childhood Family Education, School Readiness, School Readiness Plus, Voluntary Prekindergarten, Head Start, or other school-based preschool/prekindergarten programs, and to students in kindergarten through grade 3.
- The prohibition does not apply to dismissals lasting less than one school day, with exceptions for special education circumstances under federal law and Chapter 125A.
- Expulsions and exclusions may only occur after exhausting resources described in Subdivision 2 and only if there is an ongoing serious safety threat to the child or others.
- Nonexclusionary discipline (Subdivision 2):
- Must include at least one of the following:
- Collaboration with the pupil’s family/guardian, a child mental health consultant or provider, an education specialist, or other community-based supports.
- A written plan with the parent/guardian detailing actions and supports needed for the pupil to fully participate in the current program.
- Referral for needed supports (e.g., parenting education, home visits) or an evaluation to determine eligibility for special education or Section 504 services.
- Suspension rules (Subdivision 3):
- Suspension may occur only if there is an ongoing serious safety threat and only after nonexclusionary discipline has been exhausted.
- Procedural requirements for suspensions follow Section 121A.46.
- Exclusion and expulsion rules (Subdivision 4):
- Exclusion or expulsion may occur only if there is an ongoing serious safety threat and only after nonexclusionary discipline has been exhausted.
- Procedural requirements for exclusions/expulsions follow Section 121A.47.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Shifts the default response to misbehavior in early learning from immediate dismissal toward a framework of supports and family engagement.
- Explicitly requires a plan and collaboration with families and providers before considering suspensions, exclusions, or expulsions.
- Ties disciplinary actions to safety threats, ensuring that removal from early learning programs is reserved for ongoing, serious safety concerns and only after available supports have been tried.
- Incorporates referrals to support services and consideration of special education or 504 services as part of the discipline process.
Additional Context
- The provisions apply to a broad range of early learning settings, including Head Start and various school readiness programs, and align disciplinary actions with safety and participation goals.
Terminology Note
- Key terms to recognize include full and equitable participation in early learning, early learning programs, nonexclusionary discipline, ongoing serious safety threat, suspension, exclusion, expulsion, and the references to special education and Section 504 services.
Relevant Terms - full and equitable participation in early learning - early learning programs - preschool - prekindergarten - Head Start - school readiness - nonexclusionary discipline - collaboration with family/guardian - mental health consultant/provider - education specialist - community-based support - plan with parent/guardian - support services - parenting education - home visits - special education services - Section 504 services - ongoing serious safety threat - suspension - exclusion - expulsion - procedural requirements (Section 121A.46, Section 121A.47)
Bill text versions
- Introduction PDF PDF file
Actions
| Date | Chamber | Where | Type | Name | Committee Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| February 17, 2026 | House | Action | Introduction and first reading, referred to | Education Policy |
Citations
[
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Prohibition on dismissal under this chapter for students in listed early learning programs."
],
"removed": [
"Any prior allowance for disciplinary dismissal for students in early learning contexts under this section."
],
"summary": "This subdivision prohibits disciplinary dismissals for pupils enrolled in defined early learning programs and lists eligible programs (preschool, prekindergarten including ECFEE, school readiness, school readiness plus, voluntary prekindergarten, Head Start, or other school-based preschool/prekindergarten; and kindergarten through grade 3).",
"modified": [
"Introduces a four-subdivision framework governing discipline: nonexclusionary discipline (subd.2), suspension (subd.3), and exclusion/expulsion (subd.4), with applicability clarified to early learning settings."
]
},
"citation": "121A.425",
"subdivision": "subd.1"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Outlines components of nonexclusionary discipline (collaboration with family/guardian, mental health provider/education specialist, action plan, and referral for needed services)."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Defines nonexclusionary discipline as the required approach to ensure pupil participation, including collaboration with family/guardian, mental health resources, and planning;",
"modified": [
"Establishes nonexclusionary discipline as the preferred initial response within the early learning discipline framework."
]
},
"citation": "121A.425",
"subdivision": "subd.2"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Suspension allowed only after exhaustion of nonexclusionary discipline and only for ongoing serious safety threats."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Restricts suspension to cases with an ongoing serious safety threat and after nonexclusionary discipline has been exhausted, with procedural requirements aligning to section 121A.46.",
"modified": [
"Links suspension procedures to the procedural requirements in section 121A.46."
]
},
"citation": "121A.425",
"subdivision": "subd.3"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Exclusion/expulsion permitted only after nonexclusionary discipline is exhausted and in ongoing safety-threat scenarios."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Allows exclusion or expulsion only after exhaustion of nonexclusionary discipline and only for ongoing serious safety threats; references procedural requirements under section 121A.47.",
"modified": [
"Requires adherence to the procedural requirements in section 121A.47 for expulsions/exclusions."
]
},
"citation": "121A.425",
"subdivision": "subd.4"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Cross-reference indicating that procedural requirements under section 121A.46 apply to suspensions mentioned in this act.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "121A.46",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Cross-reference indicating that procedural requirements under section 121A.47 apply to expulsions or exclusions mentioned in this act.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "121A.47",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "Mentions chapter 125A (special education) in the context of applicable services for students with disabilities.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "125A",
"subdivision": ""
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "References federal Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act (Section 504) in relation to services for students with disabilities.",
"modified": []
},
"citation": "29 U.S.C. § 794",
"subdivision": ""
}
]