Sec. 25. (a) This section applies to an individual who:

(1) is a member of the administrative staff, a teacher, or other school staff member; and

(2) has students under the individual's charge.

(b) An individual may take disciplinary action instead of or in addition to suspension and expulsion that is necessary to ensure a safe, orderly, and effective educational environment. Disciplinary action under this section may include the following:

(1) Counseling with a student or group of students.

(2) Conferences with a parent or group of parents.

(3) Assigning additional work.

(4) Rearranging class schedules.

(5) Requiring a student to remain in school after regular school hours:

(A) to do additional school work; or

(B) for counseling.

(6) Restricting extracurricular activities.

(7) Removal of a student by a teacher from that teacher's class for a period not to exceed:

(A) five (5) class periods for middle, junior high, or high school students; or

(B) one (1) school day for elementary school students;

if the student is assigned regular or additional school work to complete in another school setting.

(8) Assignment by the principal of:

(A) a special course of study;

(B) an alternative educational program; or

(C) an alternative school.

(9) Assignment by the principal of the school where the recipient of the disciplinary action is enrolled of not more than one hundred twenty (120) hours of service with a nonprofit organization operating in or near the community where the school is located or where the student resides. The following apply to service assigned under this subdivision:

(A) A principal may not assign a student under this subdivision unless the student's parent approves:

(i) the nonprofit organization where the student is assigned; and

(ii) the plan described in clause (B)(i).

A student's parent may request or suggest that the principal assign the student under this subdivision.

(B) The principal shall make arrangements for the student's service with the nonprofit organization. Arrangements must include the following:

(i) A plan for the service that the student is expected to perform.

(ii) A description of the obligations of the nonprofit organization to the student, the student's parents, and the school corporation where the student is enrolled.

(iii) Monitoring of the student's performance of service by the principal or the principal's designee.

(iv) Periodic reports from the nonprofit organization to the principal and the student's parent or guardian of the student's performance of the service.

(C) The nonprofit organization must obtain liability insurance in the amount and of the type specified by the school corporation where the student is enrolled that is sufficient to cover liabilities that may be incurred by a student who performs service under this subdivision.

(D) Assignment of service under this subdivision suspends the implementation of a student's suspension or expulsion. A student's completion of service assigned under this subdivision to the satisfaction of the principal and the nonprofit organization terminates the student's suspension or expulsion.

(10) Removal of a student from school sponsored transportation.

(11) Referral to the juvenile court having jurisdiction over the student.

(c) As used in this subsection, "physical assault" means the knowing or intentional touching of another person in a rude, insolent, or angry manner. When a student physically assaults a person having authority over the student, the principal of the school where the student is enrolled shall refer the student to the juvenile court having jurisdiction over the student. However, a student with a disability (as defined in IC 20-35-1-8) who physically assaults a person having authority over the student is subject to procedural safeguards under 20 U.S.C. 1415.

[Pre-2005 Elementary and Secondary Education Recodification Citation: 20-8.1-5.1-18.]

As added by P.L.1-2005, SEC.17. Amended by P.L.66-2009, SEC.4; P.L.233-2015, SEC.262.