H.B. No. 2919 amends the Education Code to establish new provisions regarding the suspension of public school students who engage in certain conduct against school employees or volunteers. The bill mandates that a principal or appropriate administrator must suspend a student who retaliates against an employee or volunteer due to their association with a school district, specifically if the conduct meets the criteria of an offense under Section 22.01(a)(1) of the Penal Code or is otherwise violent and poses a threat to health or safety. Additionally, the bill clarifies that existing provisions regarding student conduct do not apply to the conduct described in this new subsection.

Furthermore, the bill introduces a new subsection indicating that any placement resulting from this suspension that constitutes a change in placement for a student with a disability receiving special education services will be governed by Section 37.004. The provisions of this act will take effect starting with the 2025-2026 school year, and it will become effective immediately if it receives a two-thirds majority vote in both houses; otherwise, it will take effect on September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Education Code 37.005 (Education Code 37)