BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

Senate Research Center

C.S.H.B. 692

86R22083 JES-F

By: White; Wu (Watson)

 

Administration

 

5/8/2019

 

Committee Report (Substituted)

 

 

 

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

H.B. 692 prohibits schools from placing homeless students in out-of-school suspension. This bill recognizes that many of these students� behavior problems are likely linked to their being homeless, and therefore encourages constructive alternatives for these students. Rather than forcing them back onto the streets for behavioral issues, schools should use other methods to try and address the underlying issues causing these problems. (Original Author's/Sponsor's Statement of Intent)

 

C.S.H.B. 692 amends current law relating to the suspension of a student who is homeless from public school.

 

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 37.005, Education Code, by adding Subsection (d), as follows:

 

(d) Prohibits a school district or open-enrollment charter school from placing a student who is homeless in out-of-school suspension unless the student engages in conduct described by Subsections (c)(1)�(3) (relating to certain weapons, drugs and alcohol, and violent offenses) while on school property or while attending a school‑sponsored or school-related activity on or off of school property. Authorizes the campus behavior coordinator to coordinate with the school district's homeless education liaison to identify appropriate alternatives to out-of-school suspension for a student who is homeless. Defines "student who is homeless" for purposes of this subsection.

 

SECTION 2. Provides that this Act applies beginning with the 2019�2020 school year.

 

SECTION 3. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2019.