Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Texas House Bill HB942

Voted on by House
 
Out of Senate Committee
 
Voted on by Senate
 
Governor Action
 
Bill Becomes Law
 

Caption

Relating to a public school classroom safety review and referral program for students who engage in violent criminal conduct; creating a criminal offense.

Impact

If enacted, HB 942 would significantly alter the way public schools in Texas handle violent incidents. By formalizing the review and referral process, the bill seeks to provide a systematic approach to managing student behavior, potentially leading to a decrease in violent incidents in schools. The establishment of a juvenile diversion administrator is expected to focus more on rehabilitation rather than punishment, emphasizing community service and tutoring as forms of corrective action for offending students.

Summary

House Bill 942 establishes a public school classroom safety review and referral program aimed at addressing violent criminal conduct among students. The bill mandates the formation of a classroom safety review committee within public primary and secondary schools, which is tasked with evaluating allegations of violent behavior, including assault. If a principal suspects a student of engaging in such conduct, they must either refer the student to this committee or report the incident to local law enforcement. This process is designed to ensure a structured response to instances of violence in schools and promote safety within educational environments.

Contention

Debates surrounding HB 942 may center on the effectiveness of such a review and referral system in genuinely mitigating violence, with concerns about the potential stigmatization of referred students. Critics may argue that while the intentions behind the bill are positive, the implementation might not adequately address the underlying issues related to violence in schools. Furthermore, the bill introduces a criminal offense for educators who fail to maintain confidentiality regarding the proceedings of the review, raising questions about the balance between accountability and the rights of students involved in such processes.

Texas Constitutional Statutes Affected

Education Code

  • Chapter 37. Discipline; Law And Order
    • Section: New Section

Companion Bills

TX SB475

Very Similar Relating to a public school classroom safety review and referral program for students who engage in violent criminal conduct; creating a criminal offense.

Previously Filed As

TX HB34

Relating to a public school classroom safety review and referral program for students who engage in violent criminal conduct; creating a criminal offense.

TX SB1760

Relating to a public school classroom safety review and referral program for students who engage in violent criminal conduct; creating a criminal offense.

TX HB125

Relating to a public school classroom safety review and referral program for students who engage in violent criminal conduct; creating a criminal offense.

TX HB43

Relating to a public school classroom safety review and referral program for students who engage in violent criminal conduct; creating a criminal offense.

TX HB4979

Relating to measures for ensuring safety and security in public schools, including measures related to certain student records and conduct.

TX HB285

Relating to the expulsion of public school students for engaging in conduct that constitutes serious offenses.

TX SB2083

Relating to a public school student's transition from an alternative education program to a regular classroom and the admission of certain students with a criminal or disciplinary history.

TX HB2857

Relating to the removal of a public school student from the classroom for engaging in conduct involving the possession of certain prohibited substances.

TX SB1518

Relating to the establishment of a terrorist offender registry and to the supervision of those terrorist offenders; creating criminal offenses related to terrorism.

TX SB11

Relating to measures for ensuring safety and security in public schools, including measures related to the health and safety of public school students and active shooter training for certain peace officers.

Similar Bills

CA SB1383

Teacher credentialing: Committee of Credentials: membership.

TX SB475

Relating to a public school classroom safety review and referral program for students who engage in violent criminal conduct; creating a criminal offense.

TX HB34

Relating to a public school classroom safety review and referral program for students who engage in violent criminal conduct; creating a criminal offense.

TX SB1760

Relating to a public school classroom safety review and referral program for students who engage in violent criminal conduct; creating a criminal offense.

TX HB125

Relating to a public school classroom safety review and referral program for students who engage in violent criminal conduct; creating a criminal offense.

TX HB43

Relating to a public school classroom safety review and referral program for students who engage in violent criminal conduct; creating a criminal offense.

CT SB00453

An Act Concerning Classroom Safety And Disruptive Behavior.

FL H0257

Exceptional Students and Video Cameras in Public Schools