Amends TCA Title 49, Chapter 13 and Title 49, Chapter 6.

ON APRIL 30, 2019, THE HOUSE ADOPTED AMENDMENTS #2 AND #3 AND PASSED HOUSE BILL 664, AS AMENDED.<br /> <br /> AMENDMENT #2 rewrites this bill and revises certain provisions of present law regarding alternative schools. Present law authorizes local boards of education to establish alternative schools for students in grades 1-6 who have been suspended or expelled from the regular school program and requires that at least one alternative school be established and available for students in grades 7-12 who have been suspended or expelled. Under present law, attendance in an alternative school is voluntary unless the local board of education adopts a policy mandating attendance in either instance. <br /> <br /> This amendment revises the above provisions to instead provide that students in grades 7-12 who have been suspended or expelled from the regular school program must be assigned to an alternative school or alternative program if there is space and staff available. Under this amendment, attendance in an alternative school will be voluntary for students in grades 1-6 who have been suspended or expelled from the regular school program unless the local board of education adopts a policy mandating attendance in either instance. <br /> <br /> AMENDMENT #3 clarifies that attendance in an alternative program (in addition to an alternative school) is voluntary unless the local board mandates otherwise. <br /> <br />