Honorable Larry Taylor, Chair, Senate Committee on Education
FROM:
Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB674 by Johnson, Eric (Relating to the suspension of a student enrolled in a grade level below grade three from public school and to a positive behavior program for public schools.), Committee Report 2nd House, Substituted
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would amend the Education Code to require school districts and open-enrollment charter schools to develop a positive behavior program for certain students and provide annual staff training on the program. The bill would also prohibit a student enrolled in a grade level below grade three from being placed in out-of-school suspension unless, while on school property or while attending a school-sponsored or school related activity, the student engages in conduct that contains the elements of an offense related to weapons or a violent offense; or engages in selling, giving, or delivering to another person or possessing, using or being under the influence of marijuana or a controlled substance, a dangerous drug, or an alcoholic beverage.
The Texas Education Agency assumes any additional work associated with implementing the provisions of the bill could be absorbed using existing resources.
The bill would take effect immediately if passed within the necessary voting margins, or September 1, 2017, and would apply beginning with school year 2017-18.
Local Government Impact
It is anticipated that school districts would have administrative, training and implementation costs associated with the provisions of this bill. The costs will vary depending on the size of the district and current discipline programs in place. Costs are estimated to be approximately $500 per elementary school campus.