The department of elementary and secondary education in conjunction with the attorney general's task force to prevent violence in schools shall develop requirements for the alternative placement of students suspended under the provision of § 16-21-18. The placements shall be cooperative efforts between the local school district, which shall be responsible for instruction of students, and other appropriate state and local agencies. Further, the department of elementary and secondary education in conjunction with the attorney general's task force shall establish policies in support of locally developed prevention and education activities that include broad parent, teacher, and community involvement.

Each school district shall adopt a plan to ensure continued education of students who are removed from the classroom because of a suspension of more than ten (10) days or who are chronically truant. The plan shall be adopted by the school committee and shall be submitted to Rhode Island department of elementary and secondary education as part of its annual strategic plan submission.