House Republican Press Release

April 23, 2008

Press Office: 860-240-8700

REP. ROWE TO INTRODUCE LEGISLATION CHANGING IN-SCHOOL SUSPENSION LAW

Measure To Be Submitted By Trumbull Legislator Would Repeal State Mandate

State Rep. T.R. Rowe, R-Trumbull, is drafting legislation to repeal the state’s 2007 In-School Suspension law. The measure will be introduced as an amendment to appropriate, education–based legislation, said Rep. Rowe.

Public Act 07-66 requires student suspensions to be held on school grounds. Exemptions can be granted if school administration determines that the student poses a danger to persons or property or is too disruptive of the educational process. Prior law defined in-school suspension as exclusion from classroom activity, but not from school, for up to five consecutive days. The act extends this to 10 consecutive days. Under existing law, an exclusion from school privileges for more than 10 days constitutes an expulsion.

Trumbull officials have expressed concerns over this legislation, particularly the additional cost associated with hiring staff to monitor students serving their suspensions on school property. The legislation is scheduled to go into effect on July 1, 2008. Rep. Rowe said the amendment he is drafting would reform the law to allow towns to opt out.

"This was an unfunded mandate passed without a public hearing, and essentially hidden in a larger bill at the end of the last session,” said. Rep. Rowe.  “The effect would be a potential requirement of hiring additional staff just to monitor the suspended students.  This is unacceptable and I am hopeful my amendment will pass."

“I was completely blindsided by the impact of this ill-conceived legislation and am very pleased to work with Rep. T.R. Rowe to repeal it,” said State Rep. Thomas Christiano, D-Trumbull.