SB203 Alabama 2021 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Rodger SmithermanSenator

Democrat

Co-Sponsors

Linda Coleman-MadisonVivian Davis Figures

Session

Regular Session 2021

Title

Education, K-12, procedural due process protection for suspensions and expulsions provided, findings, hearing officers, Sec. 16-1-14 am'd.

Summary

SB203 would create a uniform statewide system for due process in suspensions and expulsions in Alabama public schools, with trained hearing officers and implementing rules.

What This Bill Does

It replaces varied local policies with statewide procedures for suspensions and expulsions tied to the student code of conduct or state law. It requires annual training for impartial hearing officers by the State Department of Education and for the Board of Education to adopt implementing rules. It defines expulsions and long-term suspensions, lays out hearing procedures (notice, time, representation, evidence, records, and written decisions), and sets timelines (hearing within 10 school days; decision within five school days after the hearing). It also restricts suspensions for very young students and truancy/tardiness violations, and emphasizes due process while protecting students with disabilities.

Who It Affects

• Students facing suspension or expulsion and their parents/guardians, who gain clearer rights to notice, a hearing, representation, access to evidence, and a written decision with appeal rights.
• Local boards of education, school administrators, and impartial hearing officers, who must implement uniform statewide rules, undergo training, conduct hearings, and issue decisions.

Key Provisions

• Creates a uniform statewide system of procedural due process protections for suspensions and expulsions for violations of the student code of conduct or state law.
• Defines key terms: Expulsion (more than 90 but less than 180 school days), Long-term suspension (more than 10 but less than 90 days), and Impartial hearing officer.
• Local boards must adopt rules on behavior and discipline, have them approved by the State Board of Education, and ensure students’ rights to equal education are preserved.
• Pre-K through 5th grade students cannot be suspended or expelled except when their behavior endangers physical safety; suspensions/expulsions for truancy or tardiness are restricted.
• Requires local boards to appoint qualified impartial hearing officers and provide annual training on procedures, duties, and the impact of exclusionary discipline.
• Specifies due process steps for long-term suspension/expulsion: notice with time/place, hearing within 10 school days, student representation, access to evidence, substantial evidence standard, opportunity to present a defense, and a written decision within five school days.
• The State Board of Education will adopt rules on maintaining impartiality, the factors to consider for long-term disciplinary measures, training criteria for officers, and other implementation details.
• Protects student rights under federal laws (IDEA, Section 504, ADA) and clarifies that nothing in the act infringes those rights.
• Effective date: takes effect on the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 23, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Education