88R7420 JES-D
 
  By: Hughes, West S.B. No. 1144
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to enrolling a public school student in the state virtual
  school network as an alternative to expulsion.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter A, Chapter 37, Education Code, is
  amended by adding Section 37.0071 to read as follows:
         Sec. 37.0071.  VIRTUAL EDUCATION AS ALTERNATIVE TO
  EXPULSION. (a)  Except as provided by Subsection (b), before a
  school district or open-enrollment charter school may expel a
  student, the district or school shall consider the appropriateness
  and feasibility of enrolling the student in a full-time virtual
  education program through the state virtual school network under
  Chapter 30A as an alternative to expulsion.
         (b)  Subsection (a) does not apply to a student expelled
  under Section 37.0081 or 37.007(a), (d), or (e).
         SECTION 2.  This Act applies beginning with the 2023-2024
  school year.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
  a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
  provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
  Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
  Act takes effect September 1, 2023.