89R15794 GP-D
By: Parker S.B. No. 2333
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to resources for public school classroom teachers,
including liability insurance.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter I, Chapter 21, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 21.417 to read as follows:
Sec. 21.417. RESOURCES, INCLUDING LIABILITY INSURANCE, FOR
CLASSROOM TEACHERS. (a) From funds appropriated or otherwise
available for the purpose, the agency shall contract with a third
party to provide the following services for a classroom teacher
employed under a probationary, continuing, or term contract:
(1) assistance in understanding the teacher's rights,
duties, and benefits; and
(2) liability insurance to protect a teacher against
liability to a third party based on conduct that the teacher
allegedly engaged in during the course of the teacher's duties.
(b) A school district may not interfere with a classroom
teacher's access to services provided under this section.
(c) A contract entered into by the agency to provide
services under Subsection (a) must prohibit the entity with which
the agency contracts from using funds received under the contract
to engage in:
(1) conduct that a state agency using appropriated
money is prohibited from engaging in under Chapter 556, Government
Code; and
(2) political activities or advocacy for issues
regarding public schools, including for boards of trustees of
school districts or school districts.
(d) This section may not be interpreted to interfere with a
classroom teacher's or other school district employee's exercise of
a right protected by the First Amendment to the United States
Constitution.
SECTION 2. 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, 2025.