TITLE: Relating to the use of corporal punishment in public schools.

SUMMARY: Relating to the use of corporal punishment in public schools.

FULL TEXT:
AN ACT relating to the use of corporal punishment in public schools. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 37.0011, Education Code, is amended by amending Subsections (b) and (c) and adding Subsection (e) to read as follows: (b) If the board of trustees of an independent school district adopts a policy under Section 37.001(a)(8) under which corporal punishment is permitted as a method of student discipline, a district educator may not use corporal punishment to discipline a student unless:(1) the student's parent or guardian or other person having lawful control over the student has previously provided a written, signed statement permitting [prohibiting] the use of corporal punishment as a method of student discipline;and (2) if the student receives special education services under Subchapter A, Chapter 29, the use of corporal punishment is authorized under the student's individualized education program.(c) To permit [prohibit] the use of corporal punishment as a method of student discipline, each school year a student's parent or guardian or other person having lawful control over the student must provide a separate written, signed statement to the board of trustees of the school district in the manner established by the board. (e) A school district shall report through the district's Public Education Information Management System (PEIMS): (1) whether the board of trustees adopted a policy under Section 37.001(a)(8) under which corporal punishment is permitted as a method of student discipline; and (2) a description, including the manner and circumstances, of each use of corporal punishment as a method of student discipline by a district educator under Subsection (b). SECTION 2. This Act applies beginning with the 2021-2022 school year. SECTION 3. 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.