TITLE: Relating to resources for public school classroom teachers, including liability insurance.

SUMMARY: Relating to resources for public school classroom teachers, including liability insurance.

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