LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 79TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

March 14, 2005

TO:	Honorable Florence Shapiro, Chair, Senate Committee on Education
FROM:	John S. O'Brien, Deputy Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	SB126 by Lindsay (Relating to discipline of public school students.), As Introduced

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated. 

The bill would amend Section 37.001 of the Education Code relating to discipline of public school students.  It would clarify that it is not required for a school district’s student code of conduct to specify a minimum term of disciplinary removal or expulsion.  The bill would require that removal or expulsion be subject to a reasonable belief that the student had the culpable mental state required for the offense under the Penal Code, and it would also revise language relating to offenses involving firearms and other weapons.

Local Government Impact

It is assumed that the provisions in the bill could affect the number of students placed in disciplinary settings or expelled, as well as the potential length of these placements or expulsions.  However, on a statewide basis, no significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated. 

Source Agencies:

665 Juvenile Probation Commission, 701 Central Education Agency

LBB Staff:

JOB, CT, UP, KC, LG