Transcript Highlights:

• The trauma can be enhanced when the kin caregiver cannot enroll the child in public school.
• Each school district must create a policy to excuse the students to attend their release-time courses
• Our release time programs work with school administrators to find a time for students to attend that
• They give public school students the opportunity to receive...
• They love their public school but know that they cannot have religious education.

Bills: SB226, SB413, SB571, SB1049, SB2398, SB2920

Keywords: residency, public schools, child safety placement, enrollment, education code, school boards, transparency, public meetings, attendance, recording, misconduct, child abuse, educators, investigation, criminal offense, education law, suspension, reporting requirements, released time, religious instruction

Transcript Highlights:

• students are regularly placing public schools at harm.
• I mean, that's what our classrooms have evolved to in our public school settings.
• property or while attending a school-sponsored or school-related activity to activate mandatory expulsion
• So our public schools are a reflection of our society.
• But this is not just a public school issue.

Bills: SB27, SB226, SB326, SB570, SB605, SB870, SB991, SB1871, SB1872, SB1873, SB1874, SB1924, SB1925

Keywords: residency, public schools, child safety placement, enrollment, education code, antisemitism, student conduct, education, disciplinary actions, Texas Education Code, truancy, attendance policy, chronic absenteeism, school attendance, student absence notifications, parent notification, home visit, attendance officer, truancy court, school district

Summary: The committee heard a series of school safety and discipline bills, beginning with SB 870, which would codify an attorney general opinion allowing local school boards to decide whether school marshals may openly carry, conceal carry, or store a firearm in a secure safe on campus. The bill was laid out with no public testimony and left pending. The chair then moved to a combined discussion of SB 1871, 1872, 1873, 1874, and 1924, all focused on school discipline, teacher authority, and student safety. Senators Perry and Creighton described the package as a response to rising classroom disruptions, assaults on teachers, and concerns that districts lack effective tools to maintain order. SB 1871 would expand teacher removal authority, require return-to-class plans before a student removed for certain conduct can return, make some serious offenses mandatory for placement in juvenile justice settings, and provide telehealth mental health services through a consortium. SB 1872 would require expulsion to a JJAEP for assaults on teachers or school volunteers and extend certain expulsion-eligible conduct to off-campus offenses. SB 1873 would restore the prior understanding that in-school suspension is not subject to a three-day limit. SB 1874 would grant teachers immunity from disciplinary action for reporting discipline violations or acting in compliance with Chapter 37. SB 1924 would restore authority for local police and school district police to issue Class C citations for school offenses and require criminal referrals for students posing an imminent threat or assaulting a teacher, with a substitute clarifying referral rules when a citation has already been issued. The committee adopted the substitutes for the bills and moved them forward. Invited witnesses from teacher and administrator groups largely supported the overall goal of stronger discipline and safer classrooms, while asking for refinements. The Texas Classroom Teachers Association testified that teachers need more autonomy to remove disruptive or violent students and that classroom removals should not mean removal from learning. Superintendents from San Angelo, Grandview, and Wiley ISDs supported the bills’ emphasis on safety, expanded ISS flexibility, mandatory placement for serious offenses, and telehealth mental health services, but asked for more local control, flexibility for Districts of Innovation, more than one campus behavior coordinator in large districts, clearer timelines for return-to-class plans, and more precise definitions for disruptive conduct. Several witnesses stressed that teacher retention and student learning are being harmed by current discipline problems, while some members raised concerns about vague standards and the risk of overuse or public humiliation through citations and removals.

Transcript Highlights:

• The common denominator is public schools.
• threatening students are regularly placing public schools at harm.
• Classrooms have evolved in our public school settings.
• property or while attending a school-sponsored or school-related activity to activate the expulsion
• Our public schools are a reflection of our society, and what you're seeing in the public school really

Bills: SB27, SB226, SB326, SB570, SB605, SB870, SB991, SB1871, SB1872, SB1873, SB1874, SB1924, SB1925

Keywords: residency, public schools, child safety placement, enrollment, education code, antisemitism, student conduct, education, disciplinary actions, Texas Education Code, truancy, attendance policy, chronic absenteeism, school attendance, student absence notifications, parent notification, home visit, attendance officer, truancy court, school district

Bills: SB27, SB226, SB326, SB570, SB605, SB870, SB991, SB1871, SB1872, SB1873, SB1874, SB1924, SB1925

Keywords: residency, public schools, child safety placement, enrollment, education code, antisemitism, student conduct, education, disciplinary actions, Texas Education Code, truancy, attendance policy, chronic absenteeism, school attendance, student absence notifications, parent notification, home visit, attendance officer, truancy court, school district

Bills: SF0014, SF0018

Keywords: literacy, education, reading assessment, intervention program, public school funding, department of education, K-12 education, part-time attendance, public schools, student enrollment, education funding, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• -12 Schools.
• of Students in K12 18, Attendance of Students in K12 schools.<00:21:07.760><c> Um,</c> schools.
• Part A adds a clause that just includes children attending school on a part-time basis to make it clear
• Madam Chairman, for Senate File 18, Attendance of Students in K-12 Schools, Senator Brennan. Aye.
• </c><00:26:20.799><c> of</c> attendance of K sorry, attendance of attendance of K sorry, attendance of

Bills: SF0014, SF0018

Keywords: literacy, education, reading assessment, intervention program, public school funding, department of education, K-12 education, part-time attendance, public schools, student enrollment, education funding, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , equity duties, and to student clubs in public schools.
• DEI policies in our public schools.
• If private companies want to do that, fine, but we're talking about our public schools.
• I don't believe that DEI, those terms used together, should have any place in our public schools.
• The passing of SB 12 will remove programming like Girls on the Run from public schools because of the

Bills: SB12, SB226, SB413, SB1049, SB1191, SB2398, SB571, SB2920, SB 12

Keywords: parental rights, education, social transitioning, diversity, equity, inclusion, school policy, student clubs, residency, public schools, child safety placement, enrollment, education code, school boards, transparency, public meetings, attendance, recording, released time, religious instruction

Transcript Highlights:

• district, charter school, or private school.
• Just in all schools, public and private, since 2003, nurses as well as school secretaries have been able
• As a Texas mom who... whose children graduated from the Houston Public Schools, I found these national
• now in all types of schools charter schools schools and public schools ready for this to happen so I
• Senate pass this bill so that mental health absences are recognized as excused in Texas public schools

Bills: SB207, SB611, SB920, SB1174, SB1207, SB1325, SB1396, SB1551, SB1619

Keywords: SB 207, Texas Education Code, public school attendance, excused absence, mental health appointment, mental health care, behavioral health, school district, student absenteeism, same-day return, health care professionals, physician certification, religious holy days, court appearance, DFPS, foster care, education policy, student wellness, school mental health, attendance policy

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill simply allows public school students to enrich their school opportunities with an optional
• I'm also the wife of a seventh-grade public school math teacher and coach, and the former director of
• public school system.
• busing system, the public school system.
• But many years ago, I heard somebody from a private school say public schools had not taught... say public

Bills: SB13, SB278, SB13

Keywords: education, national anthem, patriotism, school policy, constitutional amendment, SB278, released time, religious instruction, elective credit, public schools, K-12 education, Alabama Released Time Credit Act, church-state separation, First Amendment, school choice, parental consent, elective course, off-campus instruction, private religious entity, State Board of Education

Transcript Highlights:

• Homeschoolers to participate in career and technical programs in the public schools. Okay.
• going to be in public school, or you're going to be in a different school.
• And, you know, we had a waiting list in many of our career centers right now for public school students
• So, seeing that, you know, if the space is available, as you said, public school students would have
• We don't need to disrupt our public schools at all. Thank you. Okay.

Bills: SB278, HB459, HB61

Keywords: SB278, released time, religious instruction, elective credit, public schools, K-12 education, Alabama Released Time Credit Act, church-state separation, First Amendment, school choice, parental consent, elective course, off-campus instruction, private religious entity, State Board of Education, local board of education, attendance credit, core curriculum, religious education, Bible class

Transcript Highlights:

• We connect public charter school stakeholders from the 17 Alabama public charter schools with policymakers
• Conversion public charter schools are one way to do that, and most of the changes that SB336 proposes
• systems through the accountability act or conversion public charter schools.
• Charter schools were originally sold to the public as schools that would have flexibility with curriculum
• that charter schools receive funding comparable to traditional public schools with the funding... traditional

Bills: HB332, HB166, SB336, HB447, HB244

Keywords: computer science, K-12 education, public schools, graduation requirement, digital literacy, coding, programming, STEM, artificial intelligence, AI, computational thinking, technology education, computer literacy, high school credit, middle school, elementary school, teacher training, professional development, distance learning, virtual school

Transcript Highlights:

• Galveston County, where I raised my three kids who were fortunate enough to attend school in the same
• We represent school districts across Texas that are deeply committed to providing high-quality public
• It does not reduce the amount of funding available to any other public school in Texas.
• I'm a public school teacher testifying on my own behalf for HB56.
• Members, this bill relates to a sick leave pool for public school employees.

Bills: HB123, HB5606, HB549, HB2757, HB4359, HB5381, HB1939, HB123

Keywords: HB 123, kindergarten readiness, early literacy, early numeracy, reading screening, math screening, foundational literacy, foundational numeracy, dyslexia screening, reading intervention, math intervention, teacher academy, literacy academy, mathematics academy, interventionist academy, K-3 assessments, school readiness, prekindergarten, tutoring grant, parent-directed tutoring

Transcript Highlights:

• school accountability system.
• school accountability system.
• However, you can't do LOTC unless you're in middle school.
• You can go in as a senior and complete one school.
• Yeah, so two different schools, two different classes.

Bills: HB 1079, HB3651, HB4980

Keywords: Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps, Leadership Officer Training Corps, public school, career education, military readiness, public school accountability, funding allotments, healthcare, insurance, cost control, patient access, regulation, affordability, public health, JROTC, automobile maintenance, high school education, elective course, student skills, practical knowledge

Transcript Highlights:

• HB 1655 ensures that public school employees are prohibited from assisting or facilitating the social
• I am a public school teacher in this area.
• Transgender children getting haircuts is not the problem in our public schools.
• The crisis facing our public schools is the crisis of leadership.
• The legislature has diverted public money into private schools. ...schools, stalled on funding our public

Bills: HB1325, HB1655, HB3312, HB5526, SB13, SB57, SB207, HB441, HB591, HB5019, SB27, SB843, SB 13, SB 27, SB 57

Keywords: student transfer, public servants, education code, peace officer, servicemember, judicial officer, school security, volunteer program, retired law enforcement, veterans, public safety, school safety, criminal background check, school libraries, library advisory councils, parental rights, library materials, educational content, challenging materials, emergency operations plan

Transcript Highlights:

• Relating to excused absences from public school for certain students to attend mental health care appointments
• At public schools by the Texas Education Agency related to public school educators.
• Public school book fairs, we simply can't.
• We do book fairs for both private and public schools.
• Okay, and you have a child in public school? No longer, she's at Texas A&M Medical School now.

Bills: SB 13, SB 27, SB 57, HB1325, HB1655, HB3312, HB5526, SB13, SB57, SB207, HB441, HB591, HB5019, SB27, SB843

Keywords: lobbying, public funds, political subdivision, local government, county association, municipal lobbying, registered lobbyist, Texas Legislature, taxpayer lawsuit, injunctive relief, attorney's fees, government finance, county dues, state association of counties, sheriffs association, law enforcement officers, legislative advocacy, bill tracking, legislative alerts, Government Code Chapter 556

Transcript Highlights:

• There has been a public hearing.
• We will vote on this at the end of the public hearing, but there has been a public hearing called.
• We do this through research, public awareness, and advocacy.
• allows required for entry to school allows schools, pediatricians, and other health care providers to
• So I mean is it school test or medical test? Yes.

Bills: HB491, SB85

Keywords: HB491, public schools, K-12, school nutrition, school lunch, cafeteria, artificial dyes, food additives, food coloring, synthetic dyes, Red Dye No. 3, Red Dye No. 40, Yellow Dye No. 5, Yellow Dye No. 6, Blue Dye No. 1, Blue Dye No. 2, Green Dye No. 3, school fundraising, vending, snacks

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, this bill relates to an attendance policy adopted by public schools to prevent truancy.
• Texas public schools.
• We have to have a public accounting accountable system for a public school system.
• Our public school opened in 2012. We're a B-rated school serving about 1,150 students.
• Whether they attend a public charter school or a traditional I.A.

Bills: SB451, SB762, SB1490, SB1262, SB1459, SB1750, SB1962, SB2252, SB2253, SB2365

Keywords: instructional materials, public schools, Education Code, adoption, rejected materials, local funds, open educational resources, Texas Education Code, school districts, open enrollment charter schools, funding restrictions, environmental regulation, business compliance, local authority, economic development, state preemption, local control, open education resources, SB 762, Texas public schools

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, this bill relates to an attendance policy adopted by public schools to prevent truancy.
• Texas Public Schools.
• funding to student attendance growth it updates the Use of public charter schools facilities funding
• Whether they attend a public charter school or a traditional I.A.
• Charter schools are public schools.

Bills: SB451, SB762, SB1490, SB1262, SB1459, SB1750, SB1962, SB2252, SB2253, SB2365

Keywords: instructional materials, public schools, Education Code, adoption, rejected materials, local funds, open educational resources, Texas Education Code, school districts, open enrollment charter schools, funding restrictions, environmental regulation, business compliance, local authority, economic development, state preemption, local control, open education resources, SB 762, Texas public schools

Transcript Highlights:

• This is not only true for charter schools; this is true for public school alternative school programs
• The bill also prohibits a public or private school from prohibiting any school employee, contractor,
• The bill also prohibits a public or private school from prohibiting any school employee, contractor or
• Each public school or LEA must include a statement in the school report card that indicates whether the
• information that each public school reported for the CRDC.

Bills: SB1026, SB1126, SB1143, SB1166

Keywords: alternative education, school funding, student accountability, education reform, school district governance, educational records, student privacy, FERPA, family educational rights and privacy act, Department of Child Safety, DCS caseworker, child welfare, abuse or neglect, juvenile justice, juvenile court, juvenile corrections, school records, discipline records, attendance records, school district

Transcript Highlights:

• be 11 by 14 inches in size, is that it limits the scope to public schools K through 12 only.
• Um, it... ...public schools K through 12 only.
• I've been serving in public schools for three decades.
• Public schools are not run by out-of-touch bureaucrats.
• Even though the public schools in our area are great schools, we've always our area are great schools

Bills: SB166, HB365, HB272, HB232, HB234, SB278, SB277

Keywords: Ten Commandments, public education, displays, funding, Alabama law, STEM, science education, technology education, engineering education, math education, workforce development, career pathways, Alabama STEM Council, Department of Workforce, education policy, higher education, community colleges, K-12 education, teacher pipeline, STEM careers