BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center S.B. 2270
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Many students are being disproportionally disciplined and given harsh or irrational punishments due to "zero tolerance" discipline policies adopted by school districts. Currently, Texas law authorizes, but does not require, school districts to consider mitigating factors such as self-defense, intent or lack of intent at the time of the incident, a student's disciplinary history, or a disability that substantially impairs the student's capacity to appreciate the wrongfulness of certain conduct in regard to student suspensions, removals, or expulsions.
As proposed, S.B. 2270 amends current law relating to consideration of mitigating factors in determining appropriate disciplinary action to be taken against a public school student.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 37.001(a), Education Code, to require the student code of conduct, in addition to establishing standards for student conduct, to specify that consideration will be given, rather than specify whether consideration is given, as a factor in a decision regarding, rather than to order, suspension, removal to a disciplinary alternative education program, or expulsion, to self-defense, intent or lack of intent at the time the student engaged in the conduct, a student's disciplinary history, or a disability that substantially impairs the student's capacity to appreciate the wrongfulness of the student's conduct.
SECTION 2. Provides that this Act applies beginning with the 2009-2010 school year.
SECTION 3. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2009.