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Section 201.7 General Procedures for Suspensions and Removals of Students with Disabilities

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Section 201.7 General procedures for suspensions and removals of students with disabilities.

(a) Parental notice of disciplinary removal. No later than the date on which a decision is made to change the placement of a student with a disability to an IAES pursuant to subdivision (e) of this section or pursuant to section 201.8 of this Part, or a decision is to impose a suspension or removal pursuant to this Part that constitutes a disciplinary change in placement, the parent shall be notified of such decision and shall be provided the procedural safeguards notice in accordance with section 200.5(f) of this Title.

(b) Five school day suspension or removal. Except as otherwise provided in subdivision (d) of this section, the trustees or board of education of any school district, a district superintendent of schools or a building principal with authority to suspend students pursuant to Education Law, section 3214(3)(b) and (g), shall have authority to order the placement of a student with a disability into an appropriate interim alternative educational setting, another setting or suspension for a period not to exceed five consecutive school days, and not to exceed the amount of time that a nondisabled student would be subject to suspension for the same behavior.

(c) Ten school day suspension or removal. Except as otherwise provided in subdivision (d) of this section, a superintendent of schools, either directly or upon recommendation of a hearing officer designated to conduct a superintendent's hearing pursuant to Education Law, section 3214(3)(c) and (g), may order the placement of a student with a disability into an interim alternative educational setting, another setting or suspension for up to 10 consecutive school days, inclusive of any period in which the student has been suspended or removed pursuant to subdivision (b) of this section for the same behavior, where the superintendent determines in accordance with the procedures set forth in Education Law section 3214(3)(c) that the student has engaged in behavior that warrants a suspension, provided that the duration of any such suspension or removal shall not exceed the amount of time that a nondisabled student would be subject to suspension for the same behavior. Except as otherwise provided in subdivision (d) of this section, a superintendent of schools may order additional suspensions of not more than 10 consecutive school days in the same school year for separate incidents of misconduct.

(d) Exception for pattern of suspensions or removals. A student with a disability may not be removed pursuant to subdivision (b) or (c) of this section if imposition of the 5 school day or 10 school day suspension or removal would result in a disciplinary change in placement based on a pattern of suspensions or removals as determined by school personnel in accordance with the criteria set forth in section 201.2(e)(2) of this Part, except where the manifestation team pursuant to section 201.4 of this Part has determined that the behavior was not a manifestation of such student's disability, or the student is placed in an IAES as authorized under subdivision (e) of this section.

(e) Change in placement to an IAES for behavior involving serious bodily injury, weapons, illegal drugs or controlled substances.

(1) A superintendent of schools, either directly or upon recommendation of a hearing officer designated to conduct a superintendent's hearing pursuant to Education Law, section 3214(3)(c), may order the change in placement of a student with a disability to an appropriate IAES, to be determined by the CSE, for up to 45 school days, but not to exceed the period of suspension ordered by the superintendent in accordance with Education Law, section 3214(3), where the student:

(i) has inflicted serious bodily injury, as defined in section 201.2(m) of this Part, upon another person while at school, on school premises or at a school function under the jurisdiction of the educational agency;

(ii) carries or possesses a weapon to or at school, on school premises, or to or at a school function under the jurisdiction of the educational agency; or

(iii) knowingly possesses or uses illegal drugs or sells or solicits the sale of a controlled substance while at school, on school premises or at a school function under the jurisdiction of the educational agency.

(2) The period of suspension or removal ordered by the superintendent may not exceed the amount of time that a nondisabled student would be suspended for the same behavior.

(f) School personnel may consider any unique circumstances on a case-by-case basis when determining whether a change in placement consistent with the other requirements of this Part is appropriate for a student with a disability who violates a school district's code of student conduct.