S 3715 — Establishes requirements for students engaging in certain bias-related conduct.

S3715 1R [First Reprint] SENATE, No.

  CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT      As introduced.reported by the Senate Education Committee on June 1, 2026, with amendments.

     a.   a.     The safety and emotional well-being of all students requires early, proactive intervention when discriminatory conduct arises among peers.

     c.   c.     Schools must be a place where every student feels safe, respected, and free from discrimination or hostility.

     e.   e.     Racially discriminatory or demeaning conduct may include, but is not limited to:

            2.   2.   As used in sections 3 through 6 of this act:

          “Bias act” means any verbal, written, physical, or digital harassment, intimidation, threat, vandalism, or other conduct that is motivated, in whole or in part, by a protected characteristic and that creates a hostile educational environment.

          “Bias incident” means any suspected or confirmed bias act, which may include use of a bias symbol, that occurs on school property, at any school-sponsored function, or on a school bus.

          “Bias symbol” means any image, drawing, sign, gesture, or depiction historically or contemporarily used to intimidate, demean, or express hostility toward a protected class.

          “Protected1“Mental characteristic”health care professional” means anda includesperson race,who color,provides ethnicity,mental nationalhealth origin,services religion,and disabilityis status,licensed gender,or genderotherwise identityauthorized, orpursuant expression,to sexualTitle orientation,45 immigrationof status,the orRevised anyStatutes, otherto classpractice protecteda underhealth Statecare orprofession federalthat law.is regulated by one of the following:

    the “RestorativeState intervention”Board meansof aMedical structured,Examiners; facilitated process designed to repair harm, promote accountability, and build understanding.

       3.    a.  Notwithstanding any law, rule, or regulation to the contrary,State aBoard school district shall require a student determined by the district to have committed any bias incident to meet with the district’s State-certified school psychologist once per week for a minimum of ninePsychological months. Examiners; Each school district shall employ one State-certified school psychologist with expertise in student counseling and training in implicit bias, racial equity, or cultural competence or humility to provide the services required pursuant to this subsection to the schools of the district.

     b.    Notwithstanding any law, rule, or regulation to the contrary,State aBoard schoolof districtSocial shallWork placeExaminers; a student in an alternative education program under the following circumstances:

    the (1) State aBoard student’sof parentMarriage orand guardianFamily refusesTherapy toExaminers; consent to student participation in the meetings required pursuant to subsection a.

the Alcohol and Drug Counselor Committee;

the Professional Counselor Examiners Committee;

and the Certified Psychoanalysts Advisory Committee.1       “Protected characteristic” means and includes race, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, disability status, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, immigration status, or any other class protected under State or federal law.

      “Restorative intervention” means a structured, facilitated process designed to repair harm, promote accountability, and build understanding.

        3.   a.  Notwithstanding any law, rule, or regulation to the contrary, a school district shall require a student determined by the district to have committed any bias incident to meet with 1[the district’s State-certified school psychologist] a mental health care professional employed by the district1 once per week for a minimum of nine months.  Each school district shall employ 1at least1 one 1[State-certified school psychologist] mental health care professional1 with expertise in student counseling and training in implicit bias, racial equity, or cultural competence or humility to provide the services required pursuant to this subsection to the schools of the district.

      b.   Notwithstanding any law, rule, or regulation to the contrary, a school district shall place a student in an alternative education program under the following circumstances:

      (1)  a student’s parent or guardian refuses to consent to student participation in the meetings required pursuant to subsection a.

or           (2)  a student is reported for engaging in a subsequent bias incident following completion of the meetings required pursuant to subsection a.

          c.   c.   When meeting with a student pursuant to subsection a.

of this section, a school1[school psychologistpsychologist] mental health care professional1 shall:

          (1)  provide educational resources to assist the student in understanding the impact of the student’s conduct;

          (2)  offer a supportive environment for the student to discuss and explore the potential motivation behind the student’s conduct;

and           (3)  seek to determine whether a mental health condition may have contributed to the student’s actions.

     c.   c.     The Racial and Bias Intervention Plan shall include, but not be limited to, the following components:

     (1) (1)   educational and restorative intervention components that include:

     (b) (b)   a reflective writing or project-based assignment requiring the student to identify the harm caused and steps to repair the harm;

     (2) (2)   skill-building supports that include:

     (b) (b)   regular check-ins with a counselor, case manager, or designated staff member;

and      (3) (3)   environmental and supervisory measures that include:

     (b) (b)   adjustments to seating, grouping, or transitions when necessary to maintain safety;

     (1) (1)   the number and type of bias incidents reported by each district;

     (2) (2)   the protected characteristics targeted in a bias incident;

     (3) (3)   the location and context of the bias incident;

     (4) (4)   the interventions and disciplinary actions taken;

     (5) (5)   when available, aggregate demographic data;

and      (6) (6)   identification of trends, emerging concerns, and recommendations for Statewide action.