BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 609 By: Paxton Education K-16 2/11/2025 As Filed AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT The Texas Legislature periodically requires school districts to adopt policies to address identified issues and concerns in Texas schools. However, statute does not specify that school districts must adhere to the policies they are required to adopt. S.B. 609 requires local education agencies, their boards of trustees or governing bodies, and their personnel to implement and act in accordance with any policy the local education agency is required by statute to adopt. By closing this loophole, S.B. 609 ensures that school districts are accountable to the parents and taxpayers in their districts, as well as to the parents and taxpayers who voiced their concerns to the legislature that led to the passage of these policy adoption requirements. As proposed, S.B. 609 amends current law relating to required independent school districts, home-rule school districts, and open-enrollment charter schools to comply with legally required policies. 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 Subchapter B, Chapter 11, Education Code, by adding Section 11.012, as follows: Sec. 11.012. REQUIREMENT REGARDING THE ADOPTION OF A POLICY. Provides that any requirement of law that imposes a duty to adopt a policy imposes a duty on the school district, board of trustees, and school district personnel to implement and act in accordance with the policy requirements. SECTION 2. Amends Section 12.013, Education Code, by adding Subsection (c) to provide that any requirement of law that imposes a duty to adopt a policy imposes a duty on the home rule school district, its governing body, and school personnel to implement and act in accordance with the policy requirements. SECTION 3. Amends Section 12.056, Education Code, by adding Subsection (c) to provide that any requirement of law that imposes a duty to adopt a policy imposes a duty on the campus charter school, its governing body, and its school personnel to implement and act in accordance with the policy requirements. SECTION 4. Amends Section 12.104, Education Code, by adding Subsection (e) to provide that any requirement of law that imposes a duty to adopt a policy imposes a duty on the open-enrollment charter school, its governing body, and its school personnel to implement and act in accordance with the policy requirements. SECTION 5. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2025.
BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center S.B. 609
By: Paxton
Education K-16
2/11/2025
As Filed
Senate Research Center
S.B. 609
By: Paxton
Education K-16
2/11/2025
As Filed
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
The Texas Legislature periodically requires school districts to adopt policies to address identified issues and concerns in Texas schools. However, statute does not specify that school districts must adhere to the policies they are required to adopt.
S.B. 609 requires local education agencies, their boards of trustees or governing bodies, and their personnel to implement and act in accordance with any policy the local education agency is required by statute to adopt.
By closing this loophole, S.B. 609 ensures that school districts are accountable to the parents and taxpayers in their districts, as well as to the parents and taxpayers who voiced their concerns to the legislature that led to the passage of these policy adoption requirements.
As proposed, S.B. 609 amends current law relating to required independent school districts, home-rule school districts, and open-enrollment charter schools to comply with legally required policies.
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 Subchapter B, Chapter 11, Education Code, by adding Section 11.012, as follows:
Sec. 11.012. REQUIREMENT REGARDING THE ADOPTION OF A POLICY. Provides that any requirement of law that imposes a duty to adopt a policy imposes a duty on the school district, board of trustees, and school district personnel to implement and act in accordance with the policy requirements.
SECTION 2. Amends Section 12.013, Education Code, by adding Subsection (c) to provide that any requirement of law that imposes a duty to adopt a policy imposes a duty on the home rule school district, its governing body, and school personnel to implement and act in accordance with the policy requirements.
SECTION 3. Amends Section 12.056, Education Code, by adding Subsection (c) to provide that any requirement of law that imposes a duty to adopt a policy imposes a duty on the campus charter school, its governing body, and its school personnel to implement and act in accordance with the policy requirements.
SECTION 4. Amends Section 12.104, Education Code, by adding Subsection (e) to provide that any requirement of law that imposes a duty to adopt a policy imposes a duty on the open-enrollment charter school, its governing body, and its school personnel to implement and act in accordance with the policy requirements.
SECTION 5. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2025.