Massachusetts law about student discipline

Laws, regulations, and web sources on suspending or expelling students, and other forms of student discipline.

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Massachusetts laws

MGL c. 69, § 1N Alternative education grant program
A grant program for the development and establishment of alternative education programs and services to students suspended or expelled from school.

MGL c. 71, § 37G Corporal punishment of pupils prohibited; use of physical restraint; regulations
Teachers and school employees may not hit a student, except they can use "such reasonable force as is necessary to protect pupils, other persons, and themselves from an assault by a pupil."

MGL c. 71, § 37H Policies relative to conduct of teachers or students; student handbooks
Schools must have policies about student discipline, and students must get a handbook that explains the rules. A student who brings a weapon or drugs to school, or assaults a staff member may be expelled.

MGL c. 71, § 37H ½ Felony complaint or conviction of student; suspension; expulsion; right to appeal
If a student is charged with a felony, they may be suspended. If they are convicted of a felony, they may be expelled. The student can appeal the decision.

MGL c. 71, § 37H ¾ Rules for schools to follow if they suspend or expel a student for any other reason, and use of alternative remedies other than suspension or expulsion.

MGL c. 76, § 21 Helping a student who is suspended or expelled continue their education

Massachusetts regulations

603 CMR 53 Student discipline
Sets out in detail the specific rules a school must follow when suspending or expelling a student. Appeals and hearings in sections 53.06, 53.08, 53.09. The purpose of this regulation includes:

“limit the use of long-term suspension as a consequence for student misconduct until other consequences have been considered and tried as appropriate”

Agency

Massachusetts Department of Education

Selected cases

Mahanoy Area School District v. B. L., 594 U.S. 180 (2021)
While public schools may have a special interest in regulating some off-campus student speech, the special interests of the school are not sufficient to overcome B. L.’s interest in free expression in this case.

Doe v. Worcester Public Schools, 484 Mass. 598 (2020)
The school "superintendent lacked authority to delegate responsibility for hearing and deciding the appeal, given that the initial suspension exceeded ninety days and therefore constituted an expulsion."

Web sources

Massachusetts school discipline laws & regulations by category, National Center on Safe Supportive Learning Environments.
"For each of the states or jurisdictions, discipline related laws and regulations are categorized by the type of specific discipline issue they address. Resources from government-sponsored websites and other sources are also included for each jurisdiction where available."

Parent guide to school discipline: When my child is disciplined at school: A guide for Massachusetts families, 2^nd ed., Massachusetts Appleseed Center, 2015.
Great information to help parents when their child has been disciplined at school. Explains some of the common consequences for misbehavior, from missing recess to expulsion. Includes a lot of information on appealing a school discipline decision.

Protections for students with disabilities who are being disciplined by school officials, Children's Law Center, June 2019.
Explains the unique legal requirements for disciplining special needs students.

Rethinking discipline initiative, Mass. Department of Education.
"This web page provides information about the Rethinking Discipline Initiative and PLN, and includes examples of additional resources related to supportive, inclusive, culturally responsive school climate and discipline practices and policies."

School discipline reform, Mass. Advocates for Children.
Links to many sources of valuable information. "The underlying principle of the law and regulations is to make exclusion from school a last resort, especially for all but the most serious offenses. Central to the new law and regulations is the requirement that for all offenses, if a student is to be excluded for more than 10 consecutive school days, the school district must offer the student alternative education services. In addition, for all offenses, during the first 10 days of exclusion, schools are required to provide education services so that the student can make academic progress despite absence from classes."

Print sources

Disciplining students with behavioral issues, NBI, 2016.
Includes helpful information on MGL c.71, § 37H-3/4: Suspension or expulsion on grounds other than those in 37H and 37H 1/2.

Massachusetts municipal law, 2^nd ed., MCLE, 2015 with supplements.
Sections 8.4 Physical restraint, 8.5 Student discipline.

Municipal law and practice, 5^th ed. (Mass. practice v.18B), Thomson West, 2006 with supplement.
Section 22.38, Discipline.

School law in Massachusetts, 4^th ed., MCLE, 2022-, loose-leaf.
Chapter 7, Student Safety and Discipline in Public Schools.

Last updated:	February 7, 2025