The bill, S.B. No. 806, proposes an amendment to the Education Code by adding Section 37.0071, which establishes guidelines for enrolling public school students in virtual education programs as an alternative to expulsion. Under this new provision, before a school district or open-enrollment charter school can expel a student, they must first consider the appropriateness and feasibility of enrolling the student in a full-time virtual education program, such as those offered through the state virtual school network or other authorized programs. However, this requirement does not apply to students expelled under specific sections of the law, namely Sections 37.007(a), (d), or (e) or 37.0081.

The bill is set to take effect at the beginning of the 2025-2026 school year, and it will be enacted immediately if it receives a two-thirds majority vote from all elected members in both houses of the legislature. If the necessary vote for immediate effect is not achieved, the bill will still take effect on September 1, 2025.

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