LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD Austin, Texas FISCAL NOTE, 85TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION April 5, 2017 TO: Honorable Joan Huffman, Chair, Senate Committee on State Affairs FROM: Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board IN RE:SB179 by Menéndez (Relating to student harassment, bullying, cyberbullying, injury to or death of a minor; creating a criminal offense.), As Introduced No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated. The bill would amend Education Code provisions regarding bullying to include cyberbullying; to specify the placement or expulsion of certain students; and to specify school principal reporting duties relating to bullying. The bill would amend the Civil Practice and Remedies Code to specify potential liability for certain bullying causes of action, and to require that the Texas Supreme Court adopt civil procedure rules governing certain causes of action relating to bullying. The bill would also amend the Penal Code to include certain actions within the offense of harassment.The Texas Education Agency and the Office of Court Administration report that the bill could be implemented with existing resources. Local Government Impact School districts and open-enrollment charter schools may incur costs to adopt cyberbullying and reporting policies. The requirement for counselors to serve as mediators may result in the need for additional counselor training and staff time. The Texas Education Agency estimates these provisions could be implemented at minimal local cost, and that costs will vary depending on the size of the district and current policies and practices. A Class A misdemeanor is punishable by a fine of not more than $4,000, confinement in jail for a term not to exceed one year, or both. Costs associated with enforcement, prosecution, and confinement could likely be absorbed within existing resources. Revenue gain from fines imposed and collected is not anticipated to have a significant fiscal implication.No significant fiscal impact on the local courts is anticipated. Source Agencies:212 Office of Court Administration, Texas Judicial Council, 701 Texas Education Agency LBB Staff: UP, AG, AM, RSt, AW, JGA
LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas
FISCAL NOTE, 85TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION
April 5, 2017
TO: Honorable Joan Huffman, Chair, Senate Committee on State Affairs FROM: Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board IN RE:SB179 by Menéndez (Relating to student harassment, bullying, cyberbullying, injury to or death of a minor; creating a criminal offense.), As Introduced
TO: Honorable Joan Huffman, Chair, Senate Committee on State Affairs
FROM: Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE: SB179 by Menéndez (Relating to student harassment, bullying, cyberbullying, injury to or death of a minor; creating a criminal offense.), As Introduced
Honorable Joan Huffman, Chair, Senate Committee on State Affairs
Honorable Joan Huffman, Chair, Senate Committee on State Affairs
Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
SB179 by Menéndez (Relating to student harassment, bullying, cyberbullying, injury to or death of a minor; creating a criminal offense.), As Introduced
SB179 by Menéndez (Relating to student harassment, bullying, cyberbullying, injury to or death of a minor; creating a criminal offense.), As Introduced
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would amend Education Code provisions regarding bullying to include cyberbullying; to specify the placement or expulsion of certain students; and to specify school principal reporting duties relating to bullying. The bill would amend the Civil Practice and Remedies Code to specify potential liability for certain bullying causes of action, and to require that the Texas Supreme Court adopt civil procedure rules governing certain causes of action relating to bullying. The bill would also amend the Penal Code to include certain actions within the offense of harassment.The Texas Education Agency and the Office of Court Administration report that the bill could be implemented with existing resources.
Local Government Impact
School districts and open-enrollment charter schools may incur costs to adopt cyberbullying and reporting policies. The requirement for counselors to serve as mediators may result in the need for additional counselor training and staff time. The Texas Education Agency estimates these provisions could be implemented at minimal local cost, and that costs will vary depending on the size of the district and current policies and practices. A Class A misdemeanor is punishable by a fine of not more than $4,000, confinement in jail for a term not to exceed one year, or both. Costs associated with enforcement, prosecution, and confinement could likely be absorbed within existing resources. Revenue gain from fines imposed and collected is not anticipated to have a significant fiscal implication.No significant fiscal impact on the local courts is anticipated.
Source Agencies: 212 Office of Court Administration, Texas Judicial Council, 701 Texas Education Agency
212 Office of Court Administration, Texas Judicial Council, 701 Texas Education Agency
LBB Staff: UP, AG, AM, RSt, AW, JGA
UP, AG, AM, RSt, AW, JGA