BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 1924 By: Creighton Education K-16 3/21/2025 As Filed AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT Texas teachers tell us the current disciplinary tools are not enough to motivate some parents to work with districts to achieve appropriate behavior in the classroom. Violence, disrespect, and disruption are driving dedicated professionals away from a calling they once loved. They are pleading for stronger support, reminding us that civility, politeness, and basic etiquette must hold firm in our Texas schools. S.B. 1924 returns to the pre-2013 status quo when students could receive Class C misdemeanors for school offenses. It requires criminal referral for harm or imminent harm to a teacher. As proposed, S.B. 1924 amends current law relating to the enforcement of certain criminal offenses on school property. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 37.143, Education Code, as follows: Sec. 37.143. New heading: CUSTODY OF CHILD. Deletes text of existing Subsection (a) prohibiting a peace officer, law enforcement officer, or school resource officer from issuing a citation to a child who is alleged to have committed a school offense. Makes nonsubstantive changes. SECTION 2. Amends Section 37.144, Education Code, by amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (a-1), as follows: (a) Creates an exception under Subsection (a-1). (a-1) Prohibits a school district from adopting a system of graduated sanctions before filing a complaint under Section 37.145 against a child for a school offense if the conduct that constituted the offense posed an imminent threat to a teacher's safety or resulted in physical harm to a teacher. SECTION 5. Amends Section 37.145, Education Code, as follows: Sec. 37.145. New heading: CITATION OR COMPLAINT. Provides that if a child is alleged to have committed a school offense: (1) a peace officer, law enforcement officer, or school resource officer is authorized to issue a citation to the child; (2) the school is authorized to file a complaint against the child with a criminal court in accordance with Section 37.146 (Requisites of Complaint), if the child fails to comply with or complete graduated sanctions under Section 37.144 (Graduated Sanctions for Certain School Offenses) or the school district has not elected to adopt a system of graduated sanctions under Section 37.144; or (3) requires the school to file a complaint against the child with a criminal court in accordance with Section 37.146, if the school district is prohibited from imposing graduated sanctions under 37.144(a-1). Deletes existing text authorizing a school, if a child fails to comply with or complete graduated sanctions under Section 37.144, or if the school district has not elected to adopt a system of graduated sanctions under that section, to file a complaint against the child with a criminal court in accordance with Section 37.146. SECTION 3. Makes application of this Act prospective. SECTION 4. Effective date: September 1, 2025.
BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center S.B. 1924
By: Creighton
Education K-16
3/21/2025
As Filed
Senate Research Center
S.B. 1924
By: Creighton
Education K-16
3/21/2025
As Filed
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Texas teachers tell us the current disciplinary tools are not enough to motivate some parents to work with districts to achieve appropriate behavior in the classroom. Violence, disrespect, and disruption are driving dedicated professionals away from a calling they once loved. They are pleading for stronger support, reminding us that civility, politeness, and basic etiquette must hold firm in our Texas schools.
S.B. 1924 returns to the pre-2013 status quo when students could receive Class C misdemeanors for school offenses. It requires criminal referral for harm or imminent harm to a teacher.
As proposed, S.B. 1924 amends current law relating to the enforcement of certain criminal offenses on school property.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 37.143, Education Code, as follows:
Sec. 37.143. New heading: CUSTODY OF CHILD. Deletes text of existing Subsection (a) prohibiting a peace officer, law enforcement officer, or school resource officer from issuing a citation to a child who is alleged to have committed a school offense. Makes nonsubstantive changes.
SECTION 2. Amends Section 37.144, Education Code, by amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (a-1), as follows:
(a) Creates an exception under Subsection (a-1).
(a-1) Prohibits a school district from adopting a system of graduated sanctions before filing a complaint under Section 37.145 against a child for a school offense if the conduct that constituted the offense posed an imminent threat to a teacher's safety or resulted in physical harm to a teacher.
SECTION 5. Amends Section 37.145, Education Code, as follows:
Sec. 37.145. New heading: CITATION OR COMPLAINT. Provides that if a child is alleged to have committed a school offense:
(1) a peace officer, law enforcement officer, or school resource officer is authorized to issue a citation to the child;
(2) the school is authorized to file a complaint against the child with a criminal court in accordance with Section 37.146 (Requisites of Complaint), if the child fails to comply with or complete graduated sanctions under Section 37.144 (Graduated Sanctions for Certain School Offenses) or the school district has not elected to adopt a system of graduated sanctions under Section 37.144; or
(3) requires the school to file a complaint against the child with a criminal court in accordance with Section 37.146, if the school district is prohibited from imposing graduated sanctions under 37.144(a-1).
Deletes existing text authorizing a school, if a child fails to comply with or complete graduated sanctions under Section 37.144, or if the school district has not elected to adopt a system of graduated sanctions under that section, to file a complaint against the child with a criminal court in accordance with Section 37.146.
SECTION 3. Makes application of this Act prospective.
SECTION 4. Effective date: September 1, 2025.