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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the employment of diversity, equity, and inclusion |
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officers by school districts. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter Z, Chapter 22, Education Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 22.903 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 22.903. DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION OFFICERS. |
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(a) This section applies to a school district other than a district |
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entitled to an allotment under Section 48.101. |
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(b) Each school district to which this section applies must |
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employ a diversity, equity, and inclusion officer. An individual |
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hired as a district's diversity, equity, and inclusion officer |
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must: |
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(1) have significant professional experience in |
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diversity, equity, and inclusion, including demonstrated |
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experience working with: |
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(A) students of limited English proficiency; |
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(B) students enrolled in special education |
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programs; and |
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(C) families of students described by Paragraph |
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(A) or (B); or |
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(2) hold an approved certification in diversity, |
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equity, or inclusion. |
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(c) A school district's diversity, equity, and inclusion |
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officer shall: |
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(1) lead the district's efforts to establish and |
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sustain a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion for all |
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students by addressing systemic inequities that lead to differences |
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in student achievement; |
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(2) support continuing education and training related |
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to diversity, equity, or inclusion; |
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(3) develop district policies, practices, and |
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programs that champion the individual cultures, talents, |
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abilities, languages, and interests of each student; and |
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(4) ensure that each student receives the necessary |
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opportunities and resources to meet the student's unique needs, |
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abilities, and aspirations. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021. |