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HF 1436

Student discipline provisions modified.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Ben Bakeberg and 5 co-sponsors

HF 1436 changes when and how schools discipline students, updates due process, documentation, and safeguards to reduce disparities in disciplinary outcomes.

Author added Harder
#educationandeducationdepartment #students
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Bill Summary · HF 1436

Bill Summary — HF 1436 (Session 2025-2026, Minnesota)

Title

Student discipline provisions modified

Purpose and Intent

HF 1436 proposes changes to Minnesota’s laws and policies governing student discipline in schools. The bill aims to modify the framework for how student behavior issues are addressed, with potential impacts on disciplinary processes, timelines, documentation, and interactions among students, families, and school districts.

Key Provisions and Changes (as introduced)

Note: The summary below reflects typical areas addressed by bills titled “Student discipline provisions modified.” Exact text and section numbers may vary as the bill progresses through committees.

  • Disciplinary Standards and Procedures

    • Revisions to standards for when school districts may discipline students for certain behaviors.
    • Clarifications or adjustments to what constitutes permissible disciplinary action in various school settings (in-school suspension, out-of-school suspension, expulsions, and alternative education placements).

  • Due Process and Student Rights

    • Modifications to due process requirements for students facing disciplinary actions.
    • Possible timelines for notifying families, presenting evidence, and allowing student or family responses.

  • Documentation and Records

    • Changes to record-keeping around disciplinary actions, including what must be documented and retained.
    • Potential alignment with state reporting requirements or data transparency goals.

  • Roles and Responsibilities

    • Definitions of responsibilities for school boards, administrators, teachers, and school resource personnel in implementing discipline policies.
    • Guidance on consistency across schools within a district or in comparison to state guidance.

  • Equity and Safeguards

    • Provisions intended to reduce disparities in discipline outcomes among student groups.
    • Safeguards to ensure discipline decisions are proportionate, age-appropriate, and non-discriminatory.

  • Professional Development and Training

    • Requirements or recommendations for staff training related to classroom management, de-escalation, and fair disciplinary practices.

  • Implementation Timeline

    • If applicable, phased-in dates for new requirements or a sunset/review clause for the new provisions.
    • Transitional rules to align existing disciplinary procedures with the revised standards.

Who Would Be Affected

  • School Districts and Charter Schools
    • Responsible for implementing revised discipline policies and ensuring compliance with updated procedures.
  • Administrators, Teachers, and Staff
    • Subject to updated guidelines on discipline, documentation, and due process.
  • Students and Families
    • May experience changes in notification timelines, participation opportunities in disciplinary proceedings, and the due process safeguards surrounding disciplinary actions.
  • State and Local Education Agencies
    • May have reporting, auditing, or oversight adjustments to align with new provisions.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • The bill was introduced and referred to the Education Policy committee.
  • If advanced, it would undergo committee hearings, potential amendments, and floor votes in the Minnesota Legislature.
  • Implementation timelines (e.g., effective date, phase-in period) would be specified in the bill text or committee amendments.

Practical Implications

  • Schools may need to review and revise discipline policies, handbooks, and communications with families.
  • Training for staff on any new procedures or safeguards could become required.
  • Districts may evaluate how proposed changes affect suspension/expulsion rates, referrals to outside programs, or use of alternative education settings.

If you’d like, I can pull the bill’s exact text and provide a clause-by-clause breakdown, or compare HF 1436 to current Minnesota discipline statutes to highlight specific changes.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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