Texas Senate Bill SB 1832

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

• Filed: 3/3/25
• Out of Senate Committee: 4/14/25
• Voted on by Senate: 4/24/25

Caption

Relating to providing for an election by the parent of a student who was victimized by a public school employee to transfer the student to another public school campus or receive funding for the student to attend private school.

Summary

SB 1832 creates a new school-choice remedy for students who are victimized by a public school employee. If a district employee is convicted of, placed on deferred adjudication for, formally reported for certain misconduct, or found to have engaged in child grooming or related sexual misconduct toward a student, the student’s parent may choose either to transfer the student to another campus or, in limited circumstances, to a neighboring district campus, or to receive state funding for private schooling or homeschooling. The bill sets eligibility rules, limits participation until graduation or until the student is otherwise no longer entitled to attend public school, and requires the transfer or private-school option to be agreeable to the parent. It also specifies that districts do not have to provide transportation for transfers, and it directs the commissioner of education to adopt rules to implement the program and prevent fraud or abuse. The private-school funding amount would equal the state funding the district would otherwise receive for that student under Chapter 48, and the money could be used only for tuition and fees at an accredited private school or for homeschooling expenses allowed by rule.

Impact

The bill would add a new Subchapter K to Chapter 38 of the Education Code, creating a statutory right for certain affected students to transfer schools or receive state-funded educational assistance after victimization by a district employee. It would also carve out this transfer from Section 25.034 and prohibit use of federal money or the available school fund to finance the private-school payments. In addition, it would restrict private schools receiving students under the program from being forced to comply with state laws or rules governing educational programs that were not already in effect on January 1, 2025.

Sentiment

The available voting history suggests the bill had support sufficient to advance in the Senate, passing second and third reading on 19-12 votes after rules were suspended. That pattern indicates a generally favorable majority view, likely reflecting concern for student safety and parental choice after employee misconduct. The bill was then referred in the House to the Public Education committee, where its further fate is not shown in the provided materials.

Contention

The main points of contention appear to be the scope of the remedy and the use of public funds for private education or homeschooling. Supporters likely view the bill as a protective measure for students harmed by school employees, while opponents may object to the voucher-like funding mechanism, the exemption from certain transfer rules, and the limitation on applying newer state regulations to participating private schools. The fraud-and-abuse provisions and the broad definition of qualifying misconduct, including grooming-related conduct, may also have been debated as to how they would be enforced and whether they are sufficiently precise.