BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 3219

By: Allison

Public Education

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

As the state takes a stronger stance on what behaviors will no longer be tolerated in classrooms, the state should also take a stronger stance on focusing on restorative educational models that address the underlying causes of misbehavior. Certainly, some students simply misbehave.  However, for many students there are underlying causes of misbehavior, such as anxiety, stress, and lack of relational or family stability. Roundtable participants discussed with the governor the need to equip these students with coping and emotional management strategies to moderate and retrain the responses that drive their misbehavior. With regard to the placement of students in disciplinary alternative education programs, it has been suggested that more emphasis is needed on assessment. H.B. 3219 seeks to address these concerns by authorizing the use of a behavior contract as a preliminary measure before certain disciplinary action is taken and by specifying that the administration of behavioral assessments is part of a disciplinary alternative education program's responsibilities.    

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. 3219 amends the Education Code to authorize the campus behavior coordinator of a public school district to create a behavior contract stating that appropriate disciplinary action may be taken against a student who violates the district's student code of conduct if the student continues to engage in the violative behavior and to authorize the coordinator to require the student and the student's parent or guardian to sign the contract as a condition of not taking immediate disciplinary action. The bill specifies that the requirement for a disciplinary alternative education program to provide for students' education and behavioral needs includes the administration of relevant behavioral assessments. 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.