In its original form, HB 740 would have required that students in grades K-3 receive a vision screening, hearing screening, and a speech-language assessment before being expelled or being suspended for five days or more unless the student possessed a weapon or endangered other students or school personnel.

And their efforts were successful!

The bill's sponsor, Rep. Randy Nix, agreed to a substitute bill that does NOT include mandatory speech-language assessments for students who are about to be expelled.

The bill now reads "...so as to require local school systems to conduct certain multi-tiered system of supports and review prior to expelling or assigning a student in preschool through third grade to out-of-school suspension..."

The bill substitute is not yet available online, but you can read it in full HERE.

Yesterday, the new version of the bill passed the House Education Committee. It will now go to the House floor, where it could be voted on as early as next week.

GO SSLP will continue to keep you updated as this legislation progresses.

Questions? Send us an email