House Bill No. 4146 seeks to strengthen the rights of public school educators in Texas and enhance support for public schools through various amendments to the Education Code. A key provision of the bill requires school districts to provide a duty calendar for certain professional staff prior to the start of each school year, detailing expected workdays and any additional duties beyond 30 minutes outside the instructional day. The bill also clarifies the calculation of salary reductions for teachers on unpaid leave based on their annual salary and the duty calendar. Additionally, it modifies sanctions imposed by the State Board for Educator Certification, ensuring that teachers who resign under specific circumstances after the 45th day before the school year begins will not face penalties.

Moreover, the bill establishes a grant program to reimburse school districts for hiring retired teachers and mandates the collection of data from school districts and open-enrollment charter schools to improve teacher retention and recruitment. This data will include various classifications and details regarding vacant teaching positions. The bill also enhances teachers' authority to remove disruptive students from their classrooms, requiring written consent from the teacher for a student's return unless otherwise determined by a committee. It includes provisions for student appeals regarding removals and ensures consideration for students with disabilities. The bill will take effect immediately upon receiving a two-thirds vote or on September 1, 2025, if not.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Education Code 11.1513, Education Code 21.105, Education Code 21.160, Education Code 21.210, Education Code 21.257, Education Code 37.002 (Education Code 11, Education Code 21, Education Code 37)