(Olympia, WA)  --  A bill that's awaiting action in a Washington Senate committee is aimed at allowing students who are under expulsion to attend alternative classes.  Supporters of House Bill 1541 say it would close the opportunity gap among minority students.  Under the measure, the amount of time students could be expelled would be reduced from one calendar year to one academic year.  The House-passed bill had a hearing this week before the Senate Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education.