By Ellis                                               S.B. No. 252
         76R3794 DLF-F                           
                                A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 1-1                                   AN ACT
 1-2     relating to certain counties establishing alternative dispute
 1-3     resolution systems for students.
 1-4           BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
 1-5           SECTION 1.  Title 7, Civil Practice and Remedies Code, is
 1-6     amended by adding Chapter 153 to read as follows:
 1-7                CHAPTER 153.  ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION
 1-8                             SYSTEM FOR STUDENTS
 1-9           Sec. 153.001.  DEFINITION.  In this chapter, "alternative
1-10     dispute resolution system" has the meaning assigned by Section
1-11     152.001.
1-12           Sec. 153.002.  SCOPE OF CHAPTER.  This chapter applies only
1-13     to a county with a population of more than 2,400,000.
1-14           Sec. 153.003.  ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION SYSTEM FOR
1-15     STUDENTS.  (a)  The commissioners court of a county by order may
1-16     establish an alternative dispute resolution system for the
1-17     peaceable and expeditious resolution of disputes between students
1-18     in the public primary and secondary schools in the county.
1-19           (b)  The commissioners court may take all necessary action to
1-20     make the alternative dispute resolution system effective,
1-21     including:
1-22                 (1)  contracting with a private nonprofit corporation,
1-23     a political subdivision, a public corporation, or a combination of
1-24     those entities for the purpose of administering the system;
 2-1                 (2)  making reasonable rules relating to the system;
 2-2     and
 2-3                 (3)  vesting management of the system in an entity
 2-4     selected by the commission.
 2-5           (c)  The actions of an entity authorized by Subsection (b)(3)
 2-6     are subject to the approval of the commissioners court.
 2-7           Sec. 153.004.  FINANCING.  (a)  To establish and maintain an
 2-8     alternative dispute resolution system for students under this
 2-9     chapter, the commissioners court may set a court cost in an amount
2-10     not to exceed $3.50 to be taxed, collected, and paid as other court
2-11     costs in each civil case, except suits for delinquent taxes,
2-12     condemnation, and proceedings under Subtitle C, Title 7, Health and
2-13     Safety Code, filed in a county court, statutory county court,
2-14     probate court, or district court in the county.
2-15           (b)  The county is not liable for the payment of a court cost
2-16     under this section.
2-17           (c)  The clerks of the courts in the county shall collect and
2-18     pay the costs to the county treasurer or, if the county does not
2-19     have a treasurer, to the county officer who performs the functions
2-20     of the treasurer, who shall deposit the costs in a separate fund
2-21     known as the school conflict resolution fund.  The fund shall be
2-22     administered by the commissioners court and may be used only to
2-23     establish and maintain the alternative dispute resolution system
2-24     for students in the county under this chapter.
2-25           SECTION 2.  The importance of this legislation and the
2-26     crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an
2-27     emergency and an imperative public necessity that the
 3-1     constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several
 3-2     days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended,
 3-3     and that this Act take effect and be in force from and after its
 3-4     passage, and it is so enacted.