81R2302 CAS-D
By: Zaffirini S.B. No. 29
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to bullying through electronic means in public schools.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 25.0342(a), Education Code, is amended
to read as follows:
(a) In this section, "bullying" means engaging in written or
verbal expression, expression through electronic means, or
physical conduct that a school district board of trustees or the
board's designee determines:
(1) will have the effect of physically harming a
student, damaging a student's property, or placing a student in
reasonable fear of harm to the student's person or of damage to the
student's property; or
(2) is sufficiently severe, persistent, or pervasive
enough that the action or threat creates an intimidating,
threatening, or abusive educational environment for a student.
SECTION 2. Section 37.001(b), Education Code, is amended to
read as follows:
(b) In this section:
(1) "Bullying" has the meaning assigned by Section
25.0342.
(2) "Harassment" means threatening to cause harm or
bodily injury to another student, engaging in sexually intimidating
conduct, causing physical damage to the property of another
student, subjecting another student to physical confinement or
restraint, or maliciously taking any action that substantially
harms another student's physical or emotional health or safety.
(3) [(2)] "Hit list" means a list of people targeted
to be harmed, using:
(A) a firearm, as defined by Section 46.01(3),
Penal Code;
(B) a knife, as defined by Section 46.01(7),
Penal Code; or
(C) any other object to be used with intent to
cause bodily harm.
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.