AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Introducing camera technology in schools has proven to be a cost-effective method of increasing overall student safety. Many Texas schools currently utilize camera monitoring systems in school buses, on outdoor campus grounds, and inside school common areas. Employing camera systems in schools is an effective method to ensure the safety of students, particularly those students who are nonverbal and unable to speak for themselves.
The increase in reporting and severity of abuses occurring in special education classrooms has led many to believe that cameras in self-contained, special education classrooms are necessary to protect students who are nonverbal. S.B. 1380 is intended to deter incidences of abuse or bullying and increase overall classroom safety by requiring cameras in self-contained, special needs classrooms. Under S.B. 1380 parents will be given notice of the utilization of cameras in their student's classroom.
As proposed, S.B. 1380 amends current law relating to the placement of video monitoring cameras in self-contained classrooms providing special education services.
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 26.009(b), Education Code, to provide that an employee of a school district is not required to obtain the consent of a child's parent before the employee is authorized to make a videotape of a child or to record a child's voice if the videotape or voice recording is to be used only for certain purposes, including a purpose related to the promotion of student safety under Section 29.022.
SECTION 2. Amends Subchapter A, Chapter 29, Education Code, by adding Section 29.022, as follows:
Sec. 29.022. VIDEO SURVEILLANCE OF CLASSROOMS. (a) Requires a school district, in order to promote student safety, to provide equipment for a school to place a video monitoring camera in a self-contained classroom in which students receive special services.
(b) Requires a school, before the school places a video monitoring camera in a classroom under this section, to provide written notice of the placement to the parents of a student receiving special services in the self-contained classroom.
SECTION 3. Provides that this Act applies beginning with the 2013-2014 school year.
SECTION 4. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2013.