Bill > HB3170

This bill introduces new regulations for school districts in Texas regarding special education legal proceedings, specifically due process complaints alleging violations of federal or state special education laws. The bill establishes a $10,000 limit on legal fees for defending against such complaints, with provisions for transparency and oversight. If a school district approaches 80% of this legal fee limit, the district superintendent must submit a confidential report to the school board detailing the case's facts, legal claims, and estimated total legal fees. The school board must then either direct the district to settle the case or authorize spending beyond the $10,000 limit. Furthermore, the bill requires school districts to post monthly reports on their website and submit them to the state education agency, disclosing the general subject matter and total legal fees for ongoing proceedings that exceed the $10,000 limit. These reports must protect student privacy and comply with federal privacy laws. The state education agency will compile and publish these reports monthly, providing statewide and district-specific aggregated data. The bill will take effect immediately if it receives a two-thirds vote in the Texas legislature, or on September 1, 2025, if it does not receive the required immediate-effect vote.

Education

https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=HB3170