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 deliberately violent and poses a threat to the health or safety of others. 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 requirement that any suspension under this section that constitutes a change in placement for a student with a disability receiving special education services must adhere to 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 from both houses of the legislature; otherwise, it will take effect on September 1, 2025.

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