PUPIL RESPONSE TO CSC                                                                    H.B. 4125 (H-1):

                                                                                                    SUMMARY OF BILL

                                                                                     REPORTED FROM COMMITTEE

House Bill 4125 (Substitute H-1 as reported without amendment)

Sponsor:  Representative Carrie Rheingans

House Committee: Judiciary

Senate Committee: Civil Rights, Judiciary, and Public Safety

CONTENT

The bill would amend the Revised School Code to prohibit a public school from expelling a pupil or suspending a pupil for more than 10 days for an action the pupil took arising out of an incident in which the pupil reported being sexually assaulted or a school employee witnessed a sexual assault on the pupil.

The bill would take effect 90 days after its enactment.

Proposed MCL 380.1310e

BRIEF RATIONALE

According to testimony, pupils exposed to sexual assault can have traumatic responses with behaviors that breach school policies. Reportedly, pupils have been suspended or expelled in such instances. Some people believe expelling or suspending a pupil for more than 10 days for an action the pupil took arising out of an exposure to sexual assault should be prohibited.

PREVIOUS LEGISLATION

(Please note: This section does not provide a comprehensive account of all previous legislative efforts on the relevant subject matter.)

The bill is a reintroduction of House Bill 5800 from the 2017-2018 Legislative Session. House Bill 5800 passed the House and was reported by the Senate Committee on Judiciary but received no further action.

                                                                         Legislative Analyst:  Tyler P. VanHuyse

FISCAL IMPACT

The bill would have no fiscal impact on State or local government because the bill's requirements are already required for schools receiving Federal funds.

Date Completed:  6-14-23                                              Fiscal Analyst: Cory Savino, PhD

This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.