Bill > HB1963

This bill amends the Texas Education Code to address dating violence in public schools by adding specific provisions to define, prevent, and respond to dating violence. The bill defines dating violence as the intentional use of physical, sexual, verbal, or emotional abuse by a person to harm, threaten, intimidate, or control another person in a dating relationship. It expands existing school policies to explicitly include dating violence in student codes of conduct, allowing schools to remove students from classrooms or place them in disciplinary alternative education programs if they engage in dating violence. The bill also requires schools to provide educational materials and support services for students and parents involved in dating violence incidents, with an emphasis on establishing healthy relationships. Open-enrollment charter schools will be subject to these new requirements, which include prohibiting dating violence, developing prevention and intervention methods, and considering dating violence in disciplinary decisions. These changes will take effect for the 2025-2026 school year, giving schools time to implement the new policies and procedures.

Education

https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=HB1963