87R10512 TSS-D
By: Lucio S.B. No. 1595
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the use of corporal punishment in public schools.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 37.0011, Education Code, is amended by
amending Subsections (b) and (c) and adding Subsection (e) to read
as follows:
(b) If the board of trustees of an independent school
district adopts a policy under Section 37.001(a)(8) under which
corporal punishment is permitted as a method of student discipline,
a district educator may not use corporal punishment to discipline a
student unless:
(1) the student's parent or guardian or other person
having lawful control over the student has previously provided a
written, signed statement permitting [prohibiting] the use of
corporal punishment as a method of student discipline; and
(2) if the student receives special education services
under Subchapter A, Chapter 29, the use of corporal punishment is
authorized under the student's individualized education program.
(c) To permit [prohibit] the use of corporal punishment as a
method of student discipline, each school year a student's parent
or guardian or other person having lawful control over the student
must provide a separate written, signed statement to the board of
trustees of the school district in the manner established by the
board.
(e) A school district shall report through the district's
Public Education Information Management System (PEIMS):
(1) whether the board of trustees adopted a policy
under Section 37.001(a)(8) under which corporal punishment is
permitted as a method of student discipline; and
(2) a description, including the manner and
circumstances, of each use of corporal punishment as a method of
student discipline by a district educator under Subsection (b).
SECTION 2. This Act applies beginning with the 2021-2022
school year.
SECTION 3. 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, 2021.