Relating to the transfer of certain public school students who are children of peace officers.
Summary
SB 784 expands and clarifies the school transfer rights of students who are children of peace officers. Under current law, a parent who is a peace officer may request that a school district transfer the student to another campus or to another school district in Texas. The bill makes that process more explicit by requiring both the sending and receiving districts to approve the transfer, regardless of whether the districts have a separate transfer agreement, and by prohibiting the receiving district from charging tuition under the general tuition statute.
The bill also limits the ability of districts of innovation to opt out of the peace-officer student transfer law. It amends the Education Code so that local innovation plans may not exempt districts from Section 25.0344, while preserving existing plans adopted or renewed before the bill’s effective date. The bill applies beginning with the 2025-2026 school year and includes an immediate-effect clause if it receives the constitutionally required two-thirds vote in each chamber.
Impact
SB 784 would amend the Education Code to strengthen and standardize transfer rights for students who are children of peace officers, affecting school districts statewide. It would require district approval for transfers under Section 25.0344, bar tuition charges for those transfers, and prevent districts of innovation from using local flexibility to avoid the statute in future innovation plans. The bill would primarily affect school districts, peace officers as parents or persons standing in parental relation, and students seeking transfers within Texas public schools.
Sentiment
The available legislative history suggests generally favorable treatment of the bill, with no recorded committee opposition in the provided materials and the measure advancing to the House general state calendar. The lack of transcript debate and the procedural votes shown do not indicate controversy in the record provided. Overall, the bill appears to have been handled as a straightforward education and public-safety related measure.
Contention
The main point of potential contention is the bill’s restriction on local control: districts of innovation would be barred from exempting themselves from the peace-officer transfer provision, which limits flexibility in local innovation plans. Another possible issue is the mandatory approval language, which removes discretion by requiring both districts to approve transfers and eliminating tuition charges, potentially affecting district enrollment and administrative authority. No specific opponents or detailed objections are identified in the provided discussion record.
Relating to the authority of the Wood County Central Hospital District of Wood County, Texas, to provide brain and memory care services to residents of the hospital district through the creation and operation of brain and memory health care services districts.