Texas House Bill HB2768

Texas 2017 - 85th Regular

Caption

Relating to a ban from subsequent competition of a public or private school student who assaults a sports official or other competition judge during an extracurricular competition.

Impact

The introduction of HB 2768 marks a significant shift in the Texas Education Code, specifically adding Section 33.090, which governs conduct during extracurricular activities. Schools and related sports associations will be compelled to enforce this ban immediately following an alleged assault incident. The bill was conceived in response to concerns about violence in school sports and aims to enhance the safety and integrity of competitive environments for students.

Summary

House Bill 2768 addresses the issue of student behavior during extracurricular competitions by implementing severe penalties for students who assault sports officials or competition judges. Under this bill, any public or private school student found guilty of such an assault would face a ban from participating in future competitions sanctioned by either the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools or the University Interscholastic League. This ban would remain in effect until the student graduates from high school.

Contention

Notable points of contention around HB 2768 may arise concerning the definition of assault and how it is to be interpreted in a sports context. Some critics might argue that the bill could lead to overly harsh penalties for incidents that could be deemed minor or unintentional. There may also be concerns about the fairness of banning students without a proper adjudication process, potentially impacting the student’s education and sports participation unnecessarily. However, supporters maintain that stringent measures are necessary to deter violence and maintain respect in competitive settings.