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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the prevention of and the reporting of incidents of |
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bullying committed by public school students. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 37.0052(b), Education Code, is amended |
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to read as follows: |
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(b) A student shall [may] be removed from class and placed |
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in a disciplinary alternative education program as provided by |
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Section 37.008 or expelled if the student: |
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(1) engages in bullying that encourages a student to |
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commit or attempt to commit suicide; |
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(2) incites violence against a student through group |
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bullying; or |
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(3) releases or threatens to release intimate visual |
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material of a minor or a student who is 18 years of age or older |
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without the student's consent. |
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SECTION 2. Section 37.0151(a), Education Code, is amended |
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to read as follows: |
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(a) The principal of a public primary or secondary school, |
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or a person designated by the principal under Subsection (c), shall |
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[may] make a report to any school district police department, if |
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applicable, or the police department of the municipality in which |
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the school is located or, if the school is not in a municipality, |
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the sheriff of the county in which the school is located if, after |
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an investigation is completed, the principal has reasonable grounds |
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to believe that a student engaged in conduct that constitutes an |
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offense under Section 22.01 or 42.07(a)(7), Penal Code. |
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SECTION 3. Section 37.0832(f), Education Code, is amended |
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to read as follows: |
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(f) Each school district shall [may] establish a |
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district-wide policy to assist in the prevention and mediation of |
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bullying incidents between students that: |
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(1) interfere with a student's educational |
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opportunities; or |
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(2) substantially disrupt the orderly operation of a |
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classroom, school, or school-sponsored or school-related activity. |
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SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021. |