BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 2511

By: Allen

Public Education

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Concerns have been raised regarding the increased incidence of school shootings in Texas. It has been suggested that many perpetrators of school violence suffer from emotional distress resulting from neglect and abuse suffered at home or in school. Recent reports indicate that an effective defense in combating emotional isolation or abuse is a relationship with a caring, supportive adult. H.B. 2511 seeks to address this issue by providing for programs designed to help teachers provide empathetic care and respect to all students on campus.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 2511 amends the Education Code to expand the requirement for a public school campus improvement plan that contains goals and methods for violence prevention and intervention on campus to also include goals and methods for bullying prevention and intervention and for dropout deterrence, including the provision of a research-based teacher development program that provides continuing education in certain associated topics. The bill specifies that the program to encourage parental involvement at the campus required as a component of the improvement plan may include certain evidence-based materials or training for parents. The bill applies beginning with the 2019-2020 school year.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2019.