MINUTES

SENATE COMMITTEE ON VIOLENCE IN SCHOOLS & SCHOOL SECURITY, SELECT

Wednesday, July 18, 2018

9:00 AM

Capitol Extension, Room E1.036

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Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule 11.10 and 11.18, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on Violence in Schools & School Security, Select was held on Wednesday, July 18, 2018, in the Capitol Extension, Room E1.036, at Austin, Texas.

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MEMBERS PRESENT:	MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Larry Taylor, Chair	None
Senator Joan Huffman, Vice Chair
Senator Brandon Creighton
Senator Kelly Hancock
Senator Don Huffines
Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr.
Senator Charles Schwertner
Senator Royce West
Senator John Whitmire

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The chair called the meeting to order at 9:04 AM. There being a quorum present, the following business was transacted:

The following charge was discussed: Examine the root cause of mass murder in schools including, but not limited to, risk factors such as mental health, substance use disorders, anger management, social isolation, the impact of high intensity media coverage — the so-called “glorification” of school shooters — to determine the effect on copy cat shootings, and the desensitization to violence resulting from video games, music, film, and social media. Recommend strategies to early identify and intercept high-risk students, as well as strategies to promote healthy school culture, including character education and community support initiatives.

 Invited testimony was taken.

Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.

Public testimony was taken.

Witnesses testifying and registering on the bill are shown on the attached list.

Senator Huffman assumed the chair.

Senator Taylor resumed the chair.

The chair moved that the public testimony be closed; without objection, it was so ordered.

There being no further business, at 5:26 PM Senator Taylor moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the chair. Without objection, it was so ordered.

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Senator Larry Taylor, Chair

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Nicole Sunstrum, Clerk