79R1661 SLO-D

By:  Hope                                                         H.B. No. 283


A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the transfer of public school students who are the victims of bullying. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 25, Education Code, is amended by adding Section 25.0341 to read as follows: Sec. 25.0341. TRANSFER OF VICTIMS OF BULLYING. (a) In this section, "bullying" means engaging in written or verbal expression or physical conduct that: (1) the student knows or reasonably believes will cause significant emotional distress to another student; (2) causes significant emotional distress to another student; and (3) would cause significant emotional distress to a reasonable person under the same circumstances. (b) On the request of a parent or other person with authority to act on behalf of a student who is a victim of bullying, the board of trustees of a school district shall transfer the victim to: (1) another classroom at the campus to which the victim was assigned at the time the bullying occurred; or (2) a campus in the school district other than the campus to which the victim was assigned at the time the bullying occurred. (c) The board of trustees shall verify that a student has been a victim of bullying before transferring the student under this section. (d) Section 25.034 does not apply to a transfer under this section. SECTION 2. 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, 2005.