81R7314 CAS-D By: Thompson H.B. No. 1375 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to staff development training for certain public school personnel regarding student disciplinary procedures. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 37, Education Code, is amended by adding Section 37.0181 to read as follows: Sec. 37.0181. STAFF DEVELOPMENT REGARDING DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURES. (a) Each teacher and each principal or other appropriate administrator who oversees student discipline shall attend staff development training designed to assist the teacher or the principal or other administrator in determining methods for incorporating appropriate discipline management techniques consistent with the student code of conduct adopted under Section 37.001 by the school district employing the teacher or the principal or other administrator. (b) Staff development training under this section must include: (1) specific information relating to appropriate methods for applying the provisions of this chapter; and (2) information relating to the distinction between a discipline management technique used at the principal's discretion under Section 37.002(a) and the discretionary authority of a teacher to remove a disruptive student under Section 37.002(b). (c) Staff development training under this section must comply with Sections 21.451(a), (b), and (c). (d) Staff development training under this section is in addition to any staff development training required under Section 21.451. (e) The commissioner shall adopt rules as necessary to implement this section. SECTION 2. Section 21.453(a), Education Code, is amended to read as follows: (a) The staff development account is an account in the general revenue fund. The account consists of gifts, grants, donations, appropriations for the purpose of staff development under this subchapter and Section 37.0181, and any other money transferred by law to the account. Funds in the account may be used only as provided by this section. SECTION 3. This Act applies beginning with the 2009-2010 school year. SECTION 4. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2009.