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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to a review by the commissioner of education of state law |
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regarding student suspension, expulsion, or other disciplinary |
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action and the implementation of that law by school districts. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. REVIEW. (a) The commissioner of education shall |
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conduct a review of the student disciplinary provisions in Chapter |
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37, Education Code, the rules adopted under those provisions, and |
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the implementation of those provisions and rules by school |
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districts in this state. |
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(b) In conducting the review, the commissioner of education |
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shall focus attention on provisions that permit a school district |
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to exercise discretion in determining whether to suspend a student, |
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place a student in a disciplinary alternative education program, or |
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expel a student. |
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(c) The commissioner of education shall provide opportunity |
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for public comment regarding the review. |
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SECTION 2. DEVELOPMENT OF PLAN AND RECOMMENDATIONS. (a) |
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After conducting the review and receiving public comment, the |
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commissioner of education shall develop a proposed plan for |
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reducing the number of discretionary disciplinary actions taken by |
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school districts in this state, including recommendations for any |
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necessary changes to state law to facilitate that goal. |
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(b) The commissioner of education shall post the proposed |
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plan and any recommendations for changes to state law on the Texas |
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Education Agency's Internet website and provide an additional |
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period for public comment before finalizing the plan and any |
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recommendations. |
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SECTION 3. REPORT. Not later than December 1, 2016, the |
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commissioner of education shall submit a report to the governor, |
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lieutenant governor, and members of the legislature containing the |
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results of the review and the plan and any recommendations |
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developed as a result of the review. |
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SECTION 4. EXPIRATION. This Act expires September 1, 2017. |
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SECTION 5. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Act takes effect |
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immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members |
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elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas |
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Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for |
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immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2015. |