BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center C.S.S.B. 1924 89R21762 MEW-F By: Creighton Education K-16 4/3/2025 Committee Report (Substituted) 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. S.B. 1924 Committee Substitute Changes Pay Fines and Fees Before Can Graduate: Amends Section 28.025(c), Education Code, and adds new Section 28.02565, which says a student who has been convicted of (or placed on deferred adjudication for) a school offense must finish any assigned community service and pay all related fines and costs before graduating and getting a diploma. Annual Reporting on Citations, including Demographics: Adds Section 37.1455, which requires school districts or charters to submit a yearly report to the Texas Education Agency on the number of citations issued to students, broken out by offense, demographic data, and other factors. Parent Notification: Adds a parent-notification requirement. It says that if a citation is issued or a complaint is filed against a child, the officer or school must immediately give written notice to the child's parent or guardian explaining the child's rights, including the right to counsel, and potential consequences (including the possibility of arrest). C.S.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 Article 45A.453(h), Code of Criminal Procedure, to delete existing text creating an exception under Section 37.143(a) (relating to 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), Education Code. SECTION 2. Amends Section 28.025(c), Education Code, as follows: (c) Authorizes a student to graduate and receive a diploma, in other cases, only if the student successfully completes certain requirements, including curriculum requirements identified by the State Board of Education (SBOE) under Subsection (a) (relating to requiring SBOE by rule to determine curriculum requirements for the foundation high school program) and complies with certain provisions of the Education Code, including Section 28.02565. SECTION 3. Amends Subchapter B, Chapter 28, Education Code, by adding Section 28.02565, as follows: Sec. 28.02565. COMPLETION OF COMMUNITY SERVICE AND PAYMENT OF FINES AND COSTS REQUIRED FOR SCHOOL OFFENSES BEFORE HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION. Prohibits a student who has been convicted of or placed on deferred adjudication community supervision for a school offense, as defined by Section 37.141 (Definitions), from graduating from high school and receiving a diploma unless the court in which the student was convicted certifies to the school district or open-enrollment charter school in which the student is enrolled that the student has discharged all obligations to perform community service and pay fines and costs imposed for that offense. SECTION 4. 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 5. 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 6. Amends Section 37.145, Education Code, as follows: Sec. 37.145. New heading: CITATION OR COMPLAINT. (a) 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) for a school offense described by Section 37.144(a-1), the school is required to file a complaint against the child with a criminal court in accordance with Section 37.146 (Requisites of Complaint) unless the school has been notified under Subsection (b) that a peace officer, law enforcement officer, or school resource officer has issued a citation to the child for the alleged offense. 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. (b) Requires a peace officer, law enforcement officer, or school resource officer who issues a citation to a child for a school offense under Subsection (a)(1) to notify the child's school of the issuance of the citation. (c) Requires a peace officer, law enforcement officer, or school resource officer who issues a citation to a child under Subsection (a)(1) or a school that files a complaint against a child under Subsection (a)(2) or (3) to immediately provide to the parent of or person standing in parental relation to the child a written notice regarding the issuance of the citation or filing of the complaint that includes an explanation of the child's and parent's or person's rights under the law related to the issuance of the citation to or filing of the complaint against the child, including the right to legal counsel and the potential consequences of the issuance of the citation to or filing of the complaint against the child, including the child's possible arrest. (d) Requires the Office of Court Administration of the Texas Judicial System to adopt a model notice for a peace officer, law enforcement officer, school resource officer, or school to use for purposes of Subsection (c). SECTION 7. Amends Subchapter E-1, Chapter 37, Education Code, by adding Section 37.1455, as follows: Sec. 37.1455. REPORT ON CITATIONS. (a) Requires a school district or open-enrollment charter school, not later than the 60th day after the last day of classes for the school year, to provide to the Texas Education Agency (TEA), in the form and manner prescribed by commissioner of education rule, a report on the number of citations issued to students enrolled in the district or school during the preceding school year, disaggregated by certain characteristics. (b) Requires TEA to compile the information reported under Subsection (a) and publish a report on the information on TEA's Internet website. (c) Authorizes a report required under Subsection (a) or (b) to be combined with another report required under other law. SECTION 8. Makes application of this Act prospective. SECTION 9. Effective date: September 1, 2025.
BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center C.S.S.B. 1924
89R21762 MEW-F By: Creighton
Education K-16
4/3/2025
Committee Report (Substituted)
Senate Research Center
C.S.S.B. 1924
89R21762 MEW-F
By: Creighton
Education K-16
4/3/2025
Committee Report (Substituted)
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. S.B. 1924 Committee Substitute Changes Pay Fines and Fees Before Can Graduate: Amends Section 28.025(c), Education Code, and adds new Section 28.02565, which says a student who has been convicted of (or placed on deferred adjudication for) a school offense must finish any assigned community service and pay all related fines and costs before graduating and getting a diploma. Annual Reporting on Citations, including Demographics: Adds Section 37.1455, which requires school districts or charters to submit a yearly report to the Texas Education Agency on the number of citations issued to students, broken out by offense, demographic data, and other factors. Parent Notification: Adds a parent-notification requirement. It says that if a citation is issued or a complaint is filed against a child, the officer or school must immediately give written notice to the child's parent or guardian explaining the child's rights, including the right to counsel, and potential consequences (including the possibility of arrest).
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.
S.B. 1924 Committee Substitute Changes
* Pay Fines and Fees Before Can Graduate: Amends Section 28.025(c), Education Code, and adds new Section 28.02565, which says a student who has been convicted of (or placed on deferred adjudication for) a school offense must finish any assigned community service and pay all related fines and costs before graduating and getting a diploma.
* Annual Reporting on Citations, including Demographics: Adds Section 37.1455, which requires school districts or charters to submit a yearly report to the Texas Education Agency on the number of citations issued to students, broken out by offense, demographic data, and other factors.
* Parent Notification: Adds a parent-notification requirement. It says that if a citation is issued or a complaint is filed against a child, the officer or school must immediately give written notice to the child's parent or guardian explaining the child's rights, including the right to counsel, and potential consequences (including the possibility of arrest).
C.S.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 Article 45A.453(h), Code of Criminal Procedure, to delete existing text creating an exception under Section 37.143(a) (relating to 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), Education Code.
SECTION 2. Amends Section 28.025(c), Education Code, as follows:
(c) Authorizes a student to graduate and receive a diploma, in other cases, only if the student successfully completes certain requirements, including curriculum requirements identified by the State Board of Education (SBOE) under Subsection (a) (relating to requiring SBOE by rule to determine curriculum requirements for the foundation high school program) and complies with certain provisions of the Education Code, including Section 28.02565.
SECTION 3. Amends Subchapter B, Chapter 28, Education Code, by adding Section 28.02565, as follows:
Sec. 28.02565. COMPLETION OF COMMUNITY SERVICE AND PAYMENT OF FINES AND COSTS REQUIRED FOR SCHOOL OFFENSES BEFORE HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION. Prohibits a student who has been convicted of or placed on deferred adjudication community supervision for a school offense, as defined by Section 37.141 (Definitions), from graduating from high school and receiving a diploma unless the court in which the student was convicted certifies to the school district or open-enrollment charter school in which the student is enrolled that the student has discharged all obligations to perform community service and pay fines and costs imposed for that offense.
SECTION 4. 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 5. 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 6. Amends Section 37.145, Education Code, as follows:
Sec. 37.145. New heading: CITATION OR COMPLAINT. (a) 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) for a school offense described by Section 37.144(a-1), the school is required to file a complaint against the child with a criminal court in accordance with Section 37.146 (Requisites of Complaint) unless the school has been notified under Subsection (b) that a peace officer, law enforcement officer, or school resource officer has issued a citation to the child for the alleged offense.
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.
(b) Requires a peace officer, law enforcement officer, or school resource officer who issues a citation to a child for a school offense under Subsection (a)(1) to notify the child's school of the issuance of the citation.
(c) Requires a peace officer, law enforcement officer, or school resource officer who issues a citation to a child under Subsection (a)(1) or a school that files a complaint against a child under Subsection (a)(2) or (3) to immediately provide to the parent of or person standing in parental relation to the child a written notice regarding the issuance of the citation or filing of the complaint that includes an explanation of the child's and parent's or person's rights under the law related to the issuance of the citation to or filing of the complaint against the child, including the right to legal counsel and the potential consequences of the issuance of the citation to or filing of the complaint against the child, including the child's possible arrest.
(d) Requires the Office of Court Administration of the Texas Judicial System to adopt a model notice for a peace officer, law enforcement officer, school resource officer, or school to use for purposes of Subsection (c).
SECTION 7. Amends Subchapter E-1, Chapter 37, Education Code, by adding Section 37.1455, as follows:
Sec. 37.1455. REPORT ON CITATIONS. (a) Requires a school district or open-enrollment charter school, not later than the 60th day after the last day of classes for the school year, to provide to the Texas Education Agency (TEA), in the form and manner prescribed by commissioner of education rule, a report on the number of citations issued to students enrolled in the district or school during the preceding school year, disaggregated by certain characteristics.
(b) Requires TEA to compile the information reported under Subsection (a) and publish a report on the information on TEA's Internet website.
(c) Authorizes a report required under Subsection (a) or (b) to be combined with another report required under other law.
SECTION 8. Makes application of this Act prospective.
SECTION 9. Effective date: September 1, 2025.