| 1 | 1 | | 81R11363 ALB-D |
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| 2 | 2 | | By: Olivo H.B. No. 4600 |
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| 3 | 3 | | |
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| 4 | 4 | | |
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| 5 | 5 | | A BILL TO BE ENTITLED |
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| 6 | 6 | | AN ACT |
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| 7 | 7 | | relating to state policy regarding the imposition of disciplinary |
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| 8 | 8 | | actions in public schools. |
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| 9 | 9 | | BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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| 10 | 10 | | SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 37, Education Code, is |
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| 11 | 11 | | amended by adding Section 37.0011 to read as follows: |
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| 12 | 12 | | Sec. 37.0011. PURPOSE AND INTENT. (a) The purpose of this |
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| 13 | 13 | | chapter is to provide disciplinary instructions for school |
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| 14 | 14 | | districts to ensure the safety of all students and staff. |
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| 15 | 15 | | (b) Excessive penal consequences and frivolous referrals |
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| 16 | 16 | | may not be used to disproportionately punish a student. |
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| 17 | 17 | | (c) A student's race, sex, social class, religion, or |
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| 18 | 18 | | economic background may not be factored into a disciplinary |
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| 19 | 19 | | decision made by a school district or a district employee or agent. |
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| 20 | 20 | | (d) Discipline may only be imposed to the extent that the |
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| 21 | 21 | | discipline is in the student's best interests. |
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| 22 | 22 | | (e) Academic advancement of each student shall remain a |
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| 23 | 23 | | consistent goal notwithstanding a school district's responsibility |
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| 24 | 24 | | to impose discipline necessary to maintain the safety and quality |
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| 25 | 25 | | of district schools. |
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| 26 | 26 | | (f) A school district shall promote academic achievement |
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| 27 | 27 | | for each student regardless of the student's enrollment in a |
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| 28 | 28 | | school, disciplinary alternative education program, or juvenile |
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| 29 | 29 | | justice alternative education program. |
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| 30 | 30 | | SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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| 31 | 31 | | a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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| 32 | 32 | | provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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| 33 | 33 | | Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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| 34 | 34 | | Act takes effect September 1, 2009. |
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