Suspension or expulsion of students -- Alternative program or other intervention -- Removal from classroom -- Return of expelled student to school district
KRS 158.150
in effect158.150. Suspension or expulsion of students -- Alternative program or other intervention -- Removal from classroom -- Return of expelled student to school district
(1) All students admitted to the common schools shall comply with the lawful regulations for the government of the schools:
(a) Willful disobedience or defiance of the authority of the teachers or administrators, use of profanity or vulgarity, assault or battery or abuse of other students, the threat of force or violence, the use or po ssession of alcohol or drugs, stealing or destruction or defacing of school property or personal property of students, the carrying or use of weapons or dangerous instruments, or other incorrigible bad conduct on school property, as well as off school property at school-sponsored activities, constitutes cause for suspension or expulsion from school; and
(b) Assault or battery or abuse of school personnel; stealing or willfully or wantonly defacing, destroying, or damaging the personal property of school personnel on school property, off school property, or at school -sponsored activities constitutes cause for suspension or expulsion from school.
(2) (a) Each local board of education shall adopt a policy requiring the expulsion from school for a period of at least twelve (12) months for a student who: 1. Is determined by the board through clear and convincing evidence to have made threats that pose a danger to the well -being of students, faculty, or staff of the district; 2. Is determined by the board to have brought a weapon to a school under its jurisdiction. In determining whether a student has brought a weapon to school, a local board of education shall: a. Use the definition of "unlawful possession of a weapon on school property" described in KRS 527.070; a nd b. Include bus stops; or 3. Is in grade six (6) to twelve (12) and is determined by the board to have recklessly, with a deadly weapon or dangerous instrument, or intentionally caused or attempted to cause physical injury to a school district employee on school property or at a schoo l function under the board's jurisdiction. In considering the actions of a student under this subparagraph, a local board of education shall use the definitions of "dangerous instrument," "deadly weapon," and "physical injury" in KRS 500.080, and "intentio nally" and "recklessly" in KRS 501.020.
(b) The board shall also adopt a policy requiring disciplinary actions, up to and including expulsion from school, for a student who is determined by the board to have: 1. Possessed prescription drugs or controlled s ubstances for the purpose of sale or distribution at a school under the board's jurisdiction; 2. Physically assaulted, battered, or abused another student on school property, at a bus stop, or at a school function under the board's jurisdiction; or 3. Physically assaulted, battered, or abused school personnel or other students off school property and the incident is likely to substantially disrupt the educational process.
(c) As used in this subsection: 1. "Bus stop" means a location where students wait for, board, or disembark a school bus of the school district while those actions are occurring; and 2. "School personnel" shall not include a student who is employed by a school or enrolled in any school-based apprenticeship program.
(3) (a) The board may modify the expulsion requirement and length for students on a case-by-case basis, except the length of expulsion shall be at least twelve (12) months for a violation set forth in subsection (2)(a) of this section.
(b) This section shall not prohibit a board from expelling a student for longer than twelve (12) months.
(c) 1. A board that has expelled a student from the student's regular school setting shall provide or ensure that educational services are provided to the student in an appropriate alternative program or setting, unless the board has made a determination, on the record, supported by clear and convincing evidence, that the expelled student posed a threat to the safety of other students or school staff and could not be placed into anappropriate alternative program or setting. Behavior which constitutes a threat shall include but not be limited to the physical assault, battery, or abuse of others; the threat of physical force; being under the influence of drugs or alcohol; the use, possession, sale, or transfer of drugs or alcohol; the carrying, possessing, or transfer of weapons or dangerous instruments; and any other behavior which may endanger the safety of others. Other intervention services as indicated for each student may be provided by the board or by agreement with the appropriate state or community agency. The board may refer the student for evaluation or treatment by the appropriate state or community agency, and may provide other intervention as indicated for each student. A state agency that provides the service shall be responsible for the cost. 2. For purposes of this paragraph, "appropriate alternative program or setting" means a program or setting that is not in the school building the student would otherwise attend, and includes but is not limited to a virtual program as defined in KRS 157.320 and a state-funded agency program. 3. Educational services provided to an expelled student under this paragraph shall not include transportation from the student's residence to, or returning from, an appropriate alternative program or setting. 4. An expelled student shall not participate in any school-sponsored extracurricular or interscholastic activity of the district while the student is expelled.
(d) 1. In lieu of expelling a student, or upon the expiration of a student's expulsion, a superintendent may place a student into an alternative program or setting if the superintendent determines placement of the student in his or her regular school setting is likely to substantially disrupt the education process or constitutes a threat to the safety of other students or school staff. The action shall not be taken until the parent, guardian, or other person having legal custody or control of the student has had an opportunity to have a hearing before the board or an appeals committee as described in subparagraph 2. of this paragraph. 2. The board may adopt a policy to establish an appeals committee and delegate the authority to hear appeals made under this paragraph to that committee. 3. The alternative program or setting may be provided virtually. 4. Notwithstanding any other statute or administrative regulation to the contrary, students placed in an alternative program or setting under this paragraph shall be counted in attendance and membership for state funding purposes in the same manner as other students participating in alternative programs of the district. 5. Students placed in an alternative program or setting under this paragraph shall be subject to compulsory attendance requirements under KRS Chapter 159 and applicable local board policy. 6. Following the initial alternative placement of a student under this paragraph, the board shall review the alternative program or setting placement at least once per year and determine if the placement should be continued in accordance with subparagraph 1. of this paragraph.
(4) For purposes of this subsection, "charges" means substantiated behavior that falls within the grounds for suspension or expulsion enumerated in subsection (1) of this section, including behavior committed by a student while enrolled in a private or public school, or in a school within another state. A school board may adopt a policy providing that, if a student is suspended or expelled for any reason or faces charges that may lead to suspension or expulsion but withdraws prior to a hearing from any public or private school in this or any other state, the receiving district may review the details of the charges, suspension, or expulsion and determine if the student will be admitted, and if so, what conditions may be imposed upon the admission, which may include placement of the student into an alternative program or setting as described in subsection (3)(d) of this section.
(5) (a) School administrators, teachers, or other school personnel may immediately remove or cause to be removed threatening or violent students from a classroom setting or from the district transportation system pending any further disciplinary action that may occur. Each board of education shall adopt a policy to assure the implementation of this section and to assure the safety of the students and staff.
(b) Except as described in subsection (10) of this section: 1. A principal may establish procedures for a student's removal from and reentry to the classroom when the student's behavior disrupts the classroom environment and education process or the student challenges the authority of a supervising adult. In addition to removal, the student shall be subject to further discipline for the behavior consistent with the school's code of conduct; 2. A student who is removed from the same classroom three (3) times within a thirty (30) day period shall be considered chronically disruptive and may be suspended from school in accordance with this section, and no other basis for suspension shall be deemed necessary; 3. At any time during the school year, for a student who has been removed from the classroom under this paragraph, a principal may require a review of the classroom issues with the teacher and the parent, guardian, or other person having legal custody or control of the student and determine a course of action for the teacher and student regarding the student's continued placement in the classroom; 4. At any time during the school year, a principal may permanently remove a student from a classroom for the remainder of the school year if the principal determines the student's continued placement in the classroom will chronically disrupt the education process for other students; 5. When a student is removed from a classroom under this paragraph temporarily or permanently, the principal shall determine the placement of the student in lieu of that classroom, which may include but is not limited to: a. Another classroom in that school; or b. An alternative program or setting, which may be provided virtually, as approved by the superintendent; 6. Any permanent action by a principal under this paragraph shall be subject to an appeal process in accordance with a policy adopted by the board; and 7. Policies compliant with this paragraph shall be included in the code of behavior and discipline adopted by the board of education under KRS 158.148 and the policies adopted by the school c ouncil under KRS 160.345.
(6) A student shall not be suspended from the common schools until after at least the following due process procedures have been provided:
(a) The student has been given oral or written notice of the charge or charges against him or her which constitute cause for suspension;
(b) The student has been given an explanation of the evidence of the charge or charges if the student denies them; and
(c) The student has been given an opportunity to present his or her own version of the facts relating to the charge or charges. These due process procedures shall precede any suspension from the common schools unless immediate suspension is essential to protect persons or property or to avoid disruption of the ongoing academic process. In such cases, the due process procedures outlined above shall follow the suspension as soon as practicable, but no later than three (3) school days after the suspension.
(7) (a) The superintendent, principal, assistant principal, or head teacher of any school may suspend a student but shall report the action in writing immediately to the superintendent and to the parent, guardian, or other person having legal custody or control of the student.
(b) 1. The board of education of any school district may expel or extend the expulsion of any student for misconduct as described in subsection (1) of this section, but the action shall not be taken until the parent, guardian, or other person having legal custody or control of the student has had an opportunity to have a hearing before the board. The decision of the board shall be final. 2. Within thirty (30) days prior to the end of a student's expulsion, the board shall review the details of the expulsion and current factors and circumstances, including if ending the expulsion will substantially disrupt the education process or constitute a threat to the safety of students or school staff, to determine if the expulsion shall be extended for a period not to exceed twelve (12) months. 3. The expulsion review process shall be used prior to the end of each expulsion period until the board ends the expulsion or the student is no longer subject to compulsory attendance under KRS 159.010. 4. Each board of education shall adopt a policy for implementation of the process described in this paragraph.
(8) (a) Suspension of exceptional children, as defined in KRS 157.200, shall be considered a change of educational placement if: 1. The child is removed for more than ten (10) consecutive days during a school year; or 2. The child is subjected to a series of removals that constitute a pattern because the removals accumulate to more than ten (10) school days during a school year and because of other factors, such as the length of each removal, the total amount of time the child is removed, and the proximity of removals to one another.
(b) The admissions and release committee shall meet to review the placement and make a recommendation for continued placement or a change in placement and determine whether regular suspension or expulsion procedures apply. Additional evaluations shall be completed, if necessary.
(c) If the admissions and release committee determines that an exceptional child's behavior is related to his or her disability, the child shall not be suspended any further or expelled unless the current placement could result in injury to the child, other children, or the educational personnel, in which case an appropriate alternative placement shall be provided that will provide for the child's educational needs and will provide a safe learning and teaching environment for all. If the admissions and release committee determines that the behavior is not related to the disability, the local educational agency may pursue its regular suspension or expulsion procedure for the child, if the behavior so warrants. However, educational services shall not be terminated during a period of expulsion and during a suspension after a student is suspended for more than a total of ten (10) days during a school year. A district may seek temporary injunctive relief through the courts if the parent and the other members of the admissions and release committee cannot agree upon a placement and the current placement will likely result in injury to the student or others.
(9) Suspension of primary school students shall be considered only in exceptional cases where there are safety issues for the child or others.
(10) Any action under this section related to students with disabilities shall be in compliance with applicable federal law.
(11) This section shall not be interpreted or construed to preclude the requirements contained in KRS 158.305 or 158.4416.
(12) Notwithstanding the term of an expulsion established under this section or by the board, an expelled student shall be allowed to return to the school district subject to the following:
(a) At least twenty-six (26) weeks shall have passed since the student was expelled;
(b) The student was expelled pursuant to subsection (2)(a)3. of this section and had not previously been expelled;
(c) The expelled student shall have: 1. Written and submitted a letter to any person injured by the actions that resulted in the expulsion and to the adjudicating body established in paragraph (d) of this subsection that requests the end of the student's expulsion; 2. Completed a total number of community service hours that is at least equal to fifteen (15) hours for each week since the student was expelled; 3. Earned a cumulative grade point average of at least three (3) on any coursework completed since the student was expelled; and 4. Any other requirements established by the board; and
(d) Upon satisfying all requirements established in paragraphs (a), (b), and (c) of this subsection, an adjudicating body shall review the expelled student's request to end the expulsion. The adjudicating body shall: 1. Be composed of the superintendent or designee, the principal or designee, and any individual person injured by the actions that resulted in the expulsion; 2. Review the expelled student's request and evidence of satisfying the requirements under paragraphs (a), (b), and (c) of this subsection; and 3. Only authorize the end of the student's expulsion upon unanimous agreement of the members of the adjudicating body.
Effective: July 15, 2026
History: Amended 2026 Ky. Acts ch. 50, sec. 1, effective July 15, 2026. -- Amended 2023 Ky. Acts ch. 76, sec. 1, effective June 29, 2023. -- Amended 2006 Ky. Acts ch. 139, sec. 1, effective July 12, 2006. -- Amended 2001 Ky. Acts ch. 95, sec. 1, effective June 21, 2001. -- Amended 1998 Ky. Acts ch. 493, sec. 12, effective April 10, 1998. -- Amended 1996 Ky. Acts ch. 51, sec. 1, effective July 15, 1996. -- Amended 1992 Ky. Acts ch. 378, sec. 1, effective July 14, 1992. -- Repealed and reenacted 1990 Ky. Acts ch. 476, Pt. V, sec. 401, effective July 13, 1990. -- Amended 1986 Ky. Acts ch. 255, sec. 2, effective July 15, 1986. -- Amended 1982 Ky. Acts ch. 12, sec. 1, effective July 15, 1982. -- Amended 1978 Ky. Acts ch. 271, sec. 1, effective June 17, 1978. -- Recodified 1942 Ky. Acts ch. 208, sec. 1, effective October 1, 1942, from Ky. Stat. sec. 4363-9.
Source: Kentucky Legislative Research Commission (legislature.ky.gov)URL: https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/law/statutes/statute.aspx?id=57377Fetched: 10/20/2026