2018 Connecticut General Statutes
Title 10 - Education and Culture
Chapter 170 - Boards of Education
Section 10-233l - Expulsion and suspension of children in preschool programs.

(a) As used in this section, “preschool program provider” means a local or regional board of education, state or local charter school or interdistrict magnet school that offers a preschool program.

(b) (1) No preschool program provider shall expel any child enrolled in such provider's preschool program, except an expulsion hearing shall be conducted, in accordance with the provisions of subdivision (2) of this subsection, whenever there is reason to believe that any child enrolled in such preschool program was in possession of a firearm, as defined in 18 USC 921, as amended from time to time, on or off school grounds or at a preschool program-sponsored event. Such child shall be expelled for one calendar year if, at the expulsion hearing it is determined, that the child did so possess such a firearm. A preschool program provider may modify the period of expulsion for a child on a case-by-case basis.

(2) An expulsion hearing required under this subsection shall be conducted by (A) the program provider in accordance with the provisions of this subdivision, (B) a local or regional board of education, in accordance with the provisions of section 10-233d, if (i) the preschool program provider is a local or regional board of education, or (ii) the preschool program provider is a regional educational service center or a state or local charter school pursuant to an agreement between such preschool program provider and the board of education, or (C) an impartial hearing board established by the preschool program provider, provided (i) no employee of such preschool program provider shall be a member of the impartial hearing board, and (ii) the hearing board shall have the authority to conduct the expulsion hearing and render a final decision in accordance with the provisions of sections 4-176e to 4-180a, inclusive, and section 4-181a. Unless an emergency exists, no child shall be expelled under this subsection without a formal hearing held pursuant to sections 4-176e to 4-180a, inclusive, and section 4-181a, provided the notice required by section 4-177 and section 4-180 shall also be given to the parent or guardian of the child. If an emergency exists, such hearing shall be held as soon after the expulsion as possible. The notice shall include information concerning legal services provided free of charge or at a reduced rate that are available locally and how to access such services.

(c) No preschool program provider may authorize a suspension of a child enrolled in such provider's preschool program, unless the suspension is an in-school suspension.

(P.A. 15-96, S. 4.)

History: P.A. 15-96 effective July 1, 2015.