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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to resources for public school classroom teachers, |
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including liability insurance. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter I, Chapter 21, Education Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 21.417 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 21.417. RESOURCES, INCLUDING LIABILITY INSURANCE, FOR |
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CLASSROOM TEACHERS. (a) From funds appropriated or otherwise |
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available for the purpose, the agency shall contract with a third |
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party to provide the following services for a classroom teacher |
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employed under a probationary, continuing, or term contract: |
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(1) assistance in understanding the teacher's rights, |
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duties, and benefits; and |
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(2) liability insurance to protect a teacher against |
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liability to a third party based on conduct that the teacher |
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allegedly engaged in during the course of the teacher's duties. |
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(b) A school district may not interfere with a classroom |
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teacher's access to services provided under this section. |
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(c) A contract entered into by the agency to provide |
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services under Subsection (a) must prohibit the entity with which |
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the agency contracts from using funds received under the contract |
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to engage in: |
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(1) conduct that a state agency using appropriated |
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money is prohibited from engaging in under Chapter 556, Government |
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Code; and |
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(2) political activities or advocacy for issues |
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regarding public schools, including for boards of trustees of |
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school districts or school districts. |
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(d) This section may not be interpreted to interfere with a |
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classroom teacher's or other school district employee's exercise of |
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a right protected by the First Amendment to the United States |
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Constitution. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2025. |