Bill > HB1081

This bill establishes a new legal framework for school districts to manage students who demonstrate habitually violent, harmful, or destructive behavior. Under the bill, "habitually violent, harmful, or destructive behavior" is defined as actions that result in injury to people or damage to school property, such as assault. School districts are granted several key powers: they may place such students in virtual learning environments for a specified period, consult with law enforcement about potential ongoing threats, and establish specific conditions for a student's return to in-person learning, which might include requiring medical or mental health evaluations. For students receiving special education services or accommodations, the bill mandates that an appropriate committee meet to determine the most suitable educational setting that ensures the student's safety and access to education. If a student is placed in a remote, therapeutic, or residential setting, the school district is entitled to state reimbursement for associated expenses. Importantly, students in virtual instruction will still be counted for enrollment and attendance purposes, and the bill will take effect for the 2025-2026 school year, with immediate implementation possible if it receives a two-thirds vote in the Texas legislature.

Education

https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=HB1081