HF514 (Legislative Session 94 (2025-2026))
Kindergarten through grade 3 student dismissal limitations modified.
Related bill: SF1022
AI Generated Summary
Purpose
This bill changes how schools can use discipline with younger students. It aims to stop formal dismissals from school for most students in preschool through third grade, keeping younger children in school while districts look for other ways to address behaviors.
Main Provisions
- Prohibition on disciplinary dismissals: A pupil in preschool, prekindergarten, or kindergarten through grade 3 is not subject to disciplinary dismissals under the relevant discipline chapter.
- Short-term dismissals exception for special education: The prohibition does not apply to dismissals from school for less than one school day, but only as provided under chapter 125A and federal law for students receiving special education services.
- Expulsions and exclusions still possible, with safeguards: Expulsions and exclusions may be used only after the district has exhausted the resources described in subdivision 2, and only in situations where there is an ongoing serious safety threat to the student or others.
Changes from Current Law
- Narrows or eliminates long-term dismissals (removals from school) for most students in early grades (preschool through grade 3).
- Maintains a pathway for short-term removals for students with special education needs, under existing special education rules.
- Sets a prerequisite that expulsions and exclusions require first using specified resources to address behavior, rather than immediate removal.
Implementation & Safeguards
- Requires districts to exhaust specified resources before considering expulsions or exclusions.
- Limits the use of expulsions to serious safety threats, ensuring that very young students are not removed from class without trying alternatives.
Relevant Terms - Disciplinary dismissals prohibited - Preschool - Prekindergarten - Early childhood family education - School readiness - School readiness plus - Voluntary prekindergarten - Head Start - Kindergarten through grade 3 - Expulsions - Exclusions - Chapter 125A - Special education services - Resources outlined in subdivision 2 - Ongoing serious safety threat - Minnesota Statutes 2024 section 121A.425 subdivision 1
Actions
| Date | Chamber | Where | Type | Name | Committee Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| February 13, 2025 | House | Action | Introduction and first reading, referred to | Education Policy | |
| February 19, 2025 | House | Action | Author added | ||
| February 20, 2025 | House | Action | Author added | ||
| February 24, 2025 | House | Action | Authors added |
Citations
[
{
"analysis": {
"added": [
"Prohibition of disciplinary dismissals for kindergarten through grade 3 students under this chapter."
],
"removed": [],
"summary": "This bill amends Minn. Stat. § 121A.425, Subd. 1, to expand dismissal limitations for students in kindergarten through grade 3, prohibiting disciplinary dismissals under this chapter for those students, with exceptions for less than a full school day and for students receiving special education services; expulsions and exclusions may be used only after resources in subdivision 2 have been exhausted and only in circumstances where there is an ongoing serious safety threat to the child or others.",
"modified": [
"Clarifies that the prohibition applies to kindergarten through grade 3; retains exceptions for less than one school day and for students with special education services; allows expulsions and exclusions only after resources in subdivision 2 are exhausted in limited safety-threat circumstances."
]
},
"citation": "121A.425",
"subdivision": "1"
},
{
"analysis": {
"added": [],
"removed": [],
"summary": "The bill references Minnesota Statutes Chapter 125A as the framework for certain disciplinary actions or procedures applicable to dismissal, serving as an exception path in combination with the 121A.425 provisions.",
"modified": [
"Cross-reference to Chapter 125A included in the statute."
]
},
"citation": "125A",
"subdivision": ""
}
]Progress through the legislative process
In Committee