TITLE: Relating to the suspension or expulsion of a student by an open-enrollment charter school.

SUMMARY: Relating to the suspension or expulsion of a student by an open-enrollment charter school.

FULL TEXT:
AN ACT relating to the suspension or expulsion of a student by an open-enrollment charter school. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. The heading to Section 12.131, Education Code, is amended to read as follows: Sec. 12.131. STUDENT DISCIPLINE [REMOVAL OF STUDENTS TO DISCIPLINARY ALTERNATIVE EDUCATION PROGRAM; EXPULSION OF STUDENTS].SECTION 2. Section 12.131, Education Code, is amended by amending Subsection (b) and adding Subsections (b-1), (d), (e), and (f) to read as follows: (b) An open-enrollment charter school may:(1) only suspend a student for a reason identified in the school's code of conduct; and (2) only [not elect to] expel a student for a reason for which expulsion [that] is [not] authorized under Subchapter A, Chapter 37, [by Section 37.007] or [specified in] the school's code of conduct [as conduct that may result in expulsion].(b-1) An open-enrollment charter school's code of conduct may not authorize expulsion based on: (1) a student's attendance or academic ability or performance; or (2) acts or omissions of a student's parent or legal guardian. (d) A suspension under this section may not exceed three school days. (e) Except as required under Section 37.007(e), a student who is younger than 10 years of age may not be expelled for a period of more than one school year. (f) An employee of an open-enrollment charter school may not suggest a student withdraw from the school in lieu of being disciplined as provided by the school's code of conduct. SECTION 3. This Act applies beginning with the 2019-2020 school year. SECTION 4. 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.