S.B. No. 1262 aims to enhance public school safety in Texas by introducing several measures, including the commissioning of peace officers by the Texas Education Agency (TEA). The bill amends various sections of the Education Code and the Code of Criminal Procedure to include new provisions for school safety and security requirements. Notably, it allows the TEA to commission peace officers to enforce safety regulations and mandates that school districts develop comprehensive emergency operations plans that address various safety scenarios, including natural disasters and active shooter situations. Additionally, the bill requires annual reports on school safety assessments and mandates that good cause exceptions for safety compliance be reevaluated every five years.

The bill also includes specific amendments to existing laws, such as the addition of new subsections that outline the responsibilities of school districts in ensuring safety during extracurricular activities and the requirement for regular communication with parents regarding safety resources. Furthermore, it modifies the definition of peace officers to include those commissioned by the TEA and clarifies the roles of law enforcement in school safety discussions. The provisions of this act will take effect starting with the 2025-2026 school year, ensuring that schools are better equipped to handle safety challenges and emergencies.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Education Code 7.021, Education Code 37.1031, Education Code 37.108, Education Code 37.222, Education Code 37.353, Local Government Code 85.024 (Education Code 37, Education Code 7, Local Government Code 85)