Texas House Bill HB2243

Texas 2017 - 85th Regular

Caption

Relating to the establishment of a workgroup to examine the implementation of dating violence awareness and education programs in public schools.

Impact

The proposed amendments to Section 37.0831 of the Education Code are designed to improve compliance with existing dating violence policies in schools. The workgroup will assess current implementations and suggest methods for enhancing training and educational programs aimed at both school staff and students. Furthermore, it is expected that the workgroup will explore the relationship between juvenile justice and youth dating violence, and strategies to improve campus safety in these contexts.

Summary

House Bill 2243 aims to establish a workgroup to examine and enhance the implementation of dating violence awareness and education programs within public schools in Texas. The bill mandates the commissioner to form this workgroup, which will comprise representatives from various educational and advocacy organizations. The purpose of the workgroup is to make recommendations on how to effectively train educators and administrative staff, as well as to develop awareness programs for students and parents regarding dating violence.

Contention

A notable point of contention surrounding HB 2243 may involve concerns over the sufficiency of current training and programs addressing dating violence in schools. Advocates for stronger measures might argue that the bill is crucial in fostering safer school environments, while critics may raise concerns about the resource allocation for such programs amid existing educational challenges. Additionally, the effectiveness of the recommendations made by the workgroup could spark discussions on the best practices for implementing awareness programs and training.

Implementation

The bill specifies that the workgroup must produce its recommendations and report them to the legislature by a set deadline. This creates a structured timeline for addressing the issues of dating violence awareness within the public school system. However, the reality of translating these recommendations into actionable policies may face hurdles, especially if there are differing opinions on approaches to dating violence education and the necessary integration into current school curricula.