Suspension exemption approved for young students

Lawmakers passed a bill Feb. 27 restoring Nebraska schools’ ability to suspend pre-K through second-grade students in certain cases.

Introduced by Glenvil Sen. Dave Murman, LB653 partially repeals a 2023 law banning the suspension or expulsion of pre-K through second-grade students by creating an exception for those who engage in physical violence that harms others.

Schools must provide parents oral and written notice when a child is suspended, including available resources, steps taken to address the behavior and strategies to keep the student in school. Schools also must hold a meeting with a parent, guardian or educational decision-maker following a suspension and allow such a meeting to be requested if it does not occur.

Additionally, LB653 requires option school districts that are not in a learning community to automatically accept siblings of currently enrolled option students with individualized education programs without regard to capacity limitations.

LB653 passed on a 33-15 vote.