88R7420 JES-D
By: Hughes, West S.B. No. 1144
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to enrolling a public school student in the state virtual
school network as an alternative to expulsion.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 37, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 37.0071 to read as follows:
Sec. 37.0071. VIRTUAL EDUCATION AS ALTERNATIVE TO
EXPULSION. (a) Except as provided by Subsection (b), before a
school district or open-enrollment charter school may expel a
student, the district or school shall consider the appropriateness
and feasibility of enrolling the student in a full-time virtual
education program through the state virtual school network under
Chapter 30A as an alternative to expulsion.
(b) Subsection (a) does not apply to a student expelled
under Section 37.0081 or 37.007(a), (d), or (e).
SECTION 2. This Act applies beginning with the 2023-2024
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, 2023.