The bill, S.B. No. 111, aims to enhance transparency in special education legal proceedings involving school districts and establishes a cap on the legal fees that these districts can incur. It introduces a new section, 44.903, to the Education Code, which stipulates that a school district may not spend more than $10,000 in legal fees to defend itself in due process complaints alleging violations of special education laws. If the legal fees approach this limit, the district superintendent is required to report to the board of trustees, detailing the current costs and providing a summary of the case. The report is confidential and not subject to public disclosure.

Additionally, the bill mandates that school districts must post monthly reports on their websites and submit them to the relevant agency regarding ongoing legal proceedings where fees exceed the established limit. These reports must exclude personally identifiable student information and comply with federal privacy laws. The agency is also tasked with compiling and posting this information on its website, ensuring both statewide aggregation and district-specific disaggregation. The provisions of this bill will apply only to legal proceedings filed after its effective date, which could be immediate or set for September 1, 2025, depending on legislative approval.

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