Disciplinary dismissals for students in early learning programs modified.

Education

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor: Rehrauer, Bakeberg
Last action: 2026-02-26
Official status: Author added Bakeberg
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

Checked against official source text during the last sync.

Changes to Disciplinary Actions in Early Learning Programs

The bill modifies rules about when students in early learning programs can be dismissed, suspended, or expelled.

What This Bill Does

Allows students in early learning programs to be dismissed if there is a serious safety threat after trying other methods first.
Requires schools to try non-exclusionary discipline before suspending or expelling a student.
Specifies that suspension can only happen if there's an ongoing serious safety threat and after trying other support methods.
States that expulsion or exclusion can only occur if there is an ongoing serious safety threat and after exhausting all other options.

Who It Names or Affects

Students in early learning programs, including preschools and kindergarten through grade 3.
School staff who make decisions about disciplinary actions for these students.

Terms To Know

Nonexclusionary discipline: Actions taken to support a student without removing them from the classroom or program, such as working with family members or providing extra help.
Suspension: A temporary removal of a student from school for a set period due to serious behavior issues.
Expulsion: Permanent removal of a student from the program or school.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill does not specify what happens if there is no ongoing safety threat but a student's behavior still disrupts learning.
It is unclear how schools will implement these changes effectively and fairly for all students.

Bill History

2026-02-26 House
Author added Bakeberg
2026-02-17 House
Introduction and first reading, referred to Education Policy

Official Summary Text

Disciplinary dismissals for students in early learning programs modified.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

A bill for an act

relating to education; modifying disciplinary dismissals for students in early

learning programs; amending Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 121A.425.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 121A.425, is amended to read:

121A.425 FULL AND EQUITABLE PARTICIPATION IN EARLY LEARNING.

Subdivision 1.

Disciplinary dismissals
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prohibited
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.

(a) A pupil enrolled in the following
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is not subject to dismissals under this chapter
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early learning programs may be dismissed in

accordance with this section
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:

(1) a preschool or prekindergarten program, including an early childhood family

education, school readiness, school readiness plus, voluntary prekindergarten, Head Start,

or other school-based preschool or prekindergarten program; or

(2) kindergarten through grade 3.

(b) This provision does not apply to a dismissal from school for less than one school

day, except as provided under chapter 125A and federal law for a student receiving special

education services.

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(c) Notwithstanding this subdivision, expulsions and exclusions may be used only after

resources outlined in subdivision 2 have been exhausted, and only in circumstances where

there is an ongoing serious safety threat to the child or others.

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Subd. 2.

Nonexclusionary discipline.

For purposes of this section, nonexclusionary

discipline must include at least one of the following:

(1) collaborating with the pupil's family or guardian, child mental health consultant or

provider, education specialist, or other community-based support;

(2) creating a plan, written with the parent or guardian, that details the action and support

needed for the pupil to fully participate in the current educational program, including a

preschool or prekindergarten program; or

(3) providing a referral for needed support services, including parenting education, home

visits, other supportive education interventions, or, where appropriate, an evaluation to

determine if the pupil is eligible for special education services or section 504 services.

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Subd. 3.

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Suspension.

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A pupil in an early learning program under subdivision 1 may be

suspended only if there is an ongoing serious safety threat to the child or others and after

nonexclusionary discipline under subdivision 2 has been exhausted. The procedural

requirements under section 121A.46 apply to a suspension under this section.

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Subd. 4.

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Exclusion and expulsion.

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A pupil in an early learning program under

subdivision 1 may be expelled or excluded only if there is an ongoing serious safety threat

to the child or others and after nonexclusionary discipline under subdivision 2 has been

exhausted. The procedural requirements under section 121A.47 apply to an exclusion or

expulsion under this section.

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EFFECTIVE DATE.

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This section is effective for the 2026-2027 school year and later.

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