Texas Senate Bill SB787

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

• Filed: 1/15/25

Caption

Relating to a requirement to report through the Public Education Information Management System the number of student deaths occurring on a school district or open-enrollment charter school campus.

Impact

The implementation of this bill will mandate schools to include specific information regarding student deaths in their annual reports to the Public Education Information Management System (PEIMS). This additional requirement means that schools will need to develop procedures for accurately documenting and reporting any incidents of student deaths, which could involve collaboration with law enforcement and health officials to ensure thorough and sensitive handling of such cases. The data collected will ultimately be used to inform state education policy and resource allocation.

Summary

SB787 requires school districts and open-enrollment charter schools in Texas to report the number of student deaths that occur on their campuses. This requirement is intended to enhance transparency and provide essential data on safety incidents within the public education system. By tracking such tragic occurrences, lawmakers hope to better understand and potentially address the factors contributing to student deaths, making schools safer environments for all students. The bill amends Section 48.009(b) of the Texas Education Code to include this new reporting obligation alongside other educational data.

Contention

While the intention behind SB787 is to enhance student safety and accountability within schools, there may be concerns regarding the implications of publicizing such sensitive information. Critics might argue that requiring schools to report deaths could deter families from being candid about their children's health challenges. Moreover, there are potential privacy issues to consider, as reporting requirements would need to balance transparency with the necessity of respecting student privacy and family wishes. The discussions around the bill may therefore reflect diverse viewpoints on how best to handle these situations while also ensuring that schools fulfill their safety responsibilities.

Texas Constitutional Statutes Affected

Education Code

• Chapter 48. Foundation School Program
  • Section: 009