| Bill Number | Sponsor | Last Action | Bill Categories | Bill Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HB 85 | Rep. Steve Toth | Filed | Governance |
Requires the Legislative Budget Board in coordination with the Texas Education Agency to study the effect of federal educational mandates (defined as a statute or rule or regulation requiring an expenditure that would not otherwise have been required) on districts. |
| HB 97 | Rep. Gina Hinojosa | Filed | Charter schools |
Prohibits discrimination in charter school admissions based on discipline history, except that it allows for exclusion of a student who is currently in a DAEP or JJAEP, or who has been expelled from a district or charter school. Also provides that a charter can exclude a student from a charter school campus that includes a child-care facility if convicted for a criminal offense that would preclude the student from a school district campus with a child-care facility. |
| HB 108 | Rep. Gina Hinojosa | Filed | Charter schools |
Provides that a charter school's policies and procedures for suspension and expulsion must comply with Chapter 37 requirements, including procedures relating to students in a special education program. Provides that a charter can only suspend a student for reasons and in the manner identified in the code of conduct. Expulsion is allowed only for bullying or serious offenses (TEC 37.007) and the manner of expulsion must be included in the code of conduct. Suspensions may not be for more than 3 days. |
| HB 129 | Rep. Mary Gonzalez | Filed | School Safety |
Expands the definition of "digital citizenship" to include cyberbullying prevention/response; digital ethics, etiquette, safety and security including the identification of hate speech, racism and discrimination; and media literacy. Includes one credit in digital citizenship as a requirement for the foundation school program. |
| HB 130 | Rep. Eddie Rodriquez | Filed | Miscellaneous |
States a toll project entity may not require a school bus to pay a toll for use of a toll project. |
| HB 144 | Rep. Mary Gonzalez | Filed | COVID-19 |
Titled the COVID-19 Special Education Recovery Act. Provides that for each child in special education during 2019-20 or 2020-21, the district must prepare a supplement included with the written statement of the IEP. |
| HB 153 | Rep. Barbara Gervin-Hawkins | Filed | Curriculum |
Titled the Cultural Inclusion Act. Requires TEA, the SBOE and stakeholders to enter into a memorandum of understanding establishing their respective responsibilities in developing instruction, including curriculum and instructional modules, on culturally inclusive curriculum reflecting the cultural, linguistic and religious diversity of society. The instruction must include fostering a sense of self-identity, fostering acceptance of diversity, encouraging critical thinking, encouraging empathy, and fostering children's ability to stand up for themselves and others. |
| HB 159 | Rep. Mary Gonzalez | Filed | Special populations |
Requires the SBOE to specify what each educator is expected to know and be able to do, particularly with regard to students with disabilities. Includes specific knowledge and abilities that must be included and demonstrated during educator preparation. Also includes related subject matter in the evaluation of an ed prep program for approval or renewal. Includes issues related to the education of students with disabilities in the qualifications for a principal certification. |
| HB 163 | Rep. Diego Bernal | Filed | Finance |
Provides that the funding allotment for a homeless student is the basic allotment multiplied by the highest weight established for economically disadvantaged block groups. |
| HB 181 | Rep. Shawn Thierry | Filed | Charter schools |
Requires districts and charter schools to employ at least one full-time RN at each campus and maintain an average ratio of no less than one full-time RN for every 750 students. |
| HB 189 | Rep. Terry Canales | Filed | Charter schools |
Applies current law regarding superintendent severance payments to the CEOs of charter schools. |
| HB 204 | Rep. Shawn Thierry | Filed |
Requires that a multihazard plan include measures to ensure that school district employees, including substitutes, have classroom access to a landline phone or panic button allowing for immediate contact with emergency responders. Current law requiring access to a phone/cell phone or other communication device would apply only to junior college districts. Requires districts and charters to provide each classroom with a landline phone or panic button allowing for immediate contact with emergency responders. |
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| HB 220 | Rep. Diego Bernal | Filed |
Creates "resource campuses" that can be designated by the commissioner to provide quality education and enrichment. An eligible campus must have received an overall rating of F for four years over a 10-year period. A designated campus is exempt from Chapter 39 accountability interventions and sanctions, and qualifies for SB 1882 funding. Prior to application for the designation, a campus must form an evaluation team including the superintendent, teachers, a community member, a parent of a student enrolled during an "F" year, and a non-teacher educator. |
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| HB 226 | Rep. Diego Bernal | Filed |
Provides that a social worker can provide social work services to students and families in a school or district, and must collaborate with school administrators and other professionals to enhance students' learning environments. |
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| HB 244 | Rep. Mary Gonzalez | Filed |
Requires the commissioner to establish a competitive professional development grant program to encourage teachers to obtain computer science certification and continue professional development in coding, computational thinking, and computer science education. Grants are to be made to providers that offer professional development for elementary and middle/junior high teachers to ensure they maintain a working knowledge of current tools and resources, and that offer training for computer science certification. |