LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 79TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

March 4, 2005

TO:	Honorable Florence Shapiro, Chair, Senate Committee on Education
FROM:	John S. O'Brien, Deputy Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	SB152 by Zaffirini (Relating to prevention of and education concerning bullying in public schools.), As Introduced

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would amend Section 37.083, Education Code to require that school district discipline management programs provide for prevention and education concerning unwanted physical or verbal aggression, sexual harassment, and other forms of bullying in school, on school grounds, and in school vehicles. 

 

The bill would apply beginning with the 2005-06 school year.

Local Government Impact

To the extent that school districts are not currently implementing prevention and education programs similar to those required under this bill, additional local costs could be incurred.  However, according to the Texas Education Agency, a number of school districts currently provide some type of program relating to the prevention of bullying and assistance is currently available from a number of regional education service centers.  Assuming that these programs meet the requirements of the bill or would need only modest adjustment, there would be no significant fiscal impact to school districts.

Source Agencies:

701 Central Education Agency

LBB Staff:

JOB, CT, UP, KC