The Senate Committee on Education K-16 will begin meeting at 9 a.m. Thursday, May 8, and will hear testimony on the following K-12 bills, which have all been passed by the House:
HB 6 Leach (Senate sponsor: Perry) – The bill introduces specific guidelines for suspensions, alternative education placements, and the handling of students with disabilities. It emphasizes the use of virtual disciplinary programs and mandates the inclusion of specialized professionals in threat assessments for students with disabilities.
HB 120 Bell (Senate sponsor: Schwertner) – Relating to CTE programs in public schools, the bill introduces programs including the Financial Aid for Swift Transfer (FAST) and Rural Pathway Excellence Partnership (R-PEP), which expand dual credit opportunities and establish a high school advising program. The bill also includes provisions for funding adjustments and new instructional facility allotments to support these initiatives.
HB 210 Guillen (Senate sponsor: Hinojosa) – The bill prohibits members of the boards of trustees of school districts or of the governing bodies of open-enrollment charter schools from contracting with vendors with whom they or a related individual has certain business interests. It establishes penalties for violations and creates a criminal offense.
HB 1458 Metcalf (Senate sponsor: Creighton) – The bill authorizes the appointment of reserve police officers by school district police departments. It outlines the roles, responsibilities, and limitations of these officers, including their authority to act as peace officers and carry weapons under specific conditions.
HB 1188 Manuel (Senate sponsor: Zaffirini) – The bill mandates that school districts refer students receiving special education services, who are identified or suspected to have intellectual or developmental disabilities, to local intellectual and developmental disability authorities for additional services or public benefits. This includes access to Medicaid waiver programs and other relevant support systems.
HB 3126 Darby (Senate sponsor: Zaffirini) – The bill allows small school districts in Texas that previously opted out of the uniform group health insurance coverage program for active school employees to rejoin the program under specific conditions. The bill outlines eligibility criteria, participation deadlines, and associated fees, ensuring districts commit to the program for a minimum period.
