87R15908 MLH-D

By: Hull, Oliverson, Cain, Moody, Bernal, H.B. No. 2975

et al.

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to prohibiting the physical restraint of or use of chemical irritants on certain public school students by peace officers and school security personnel under certain circumstances.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Section 37.0021, Education Code, is amended by amending Subsection (d) and adding Subsection (j) to read as follows:

(d) Subject to Subsection (j), the [The] commissioner by rule shall adopt procedures for the use of restraint and time-out by a school district employee or volunteer or an independent contractor of a district in the case of a student with a disability receiving special education services under Subchapter A, Chapter 29. A procedure adopted under this subsection must:

(1) be consistent with:

(A) professionally accepted practices and standards of student discipline and techniques for behavior management; and

(B) relevant health and safety standards; and

(2) identify any discipline management practice or behavior management technique that requires a district employee or volunteer or an independent contractor of a district to be trained before using that practice or technique.

(j) A peace officer performing law enforcement duties or school security personnel performing security-related duties on school property or at a school-sponsored or school-related activity may not restrain or use a chemical irritant spray on a student 10 years of age or younger unless the student poses a serious risk of harm to the student or another person.

SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2021.