S.B. No. 2851 aims to enhance the responsibilities of public schools in Texas regarding the notification of parents or guardians about incidents related to their children, specifically concerning bullying and suicide risks. The bill introduces new requirements for schools to maintain records verifying that parents or guardians have been notified of bullying incidents and to provide them with suicide prevention materials and information on limiting access to means of suicide, such as firearms or medication. These provisions are added as Subsections (c-2) and (c-3) to Section 37.0832 of the Education Code.

Additionally, the bill mandates that school districts and open-enrollment charter schools adopt policies to notify parents or guardians of students identified as at risk of suicide, as outlined in new Subsections (e-1) and (e-2) of Section 38.351. Similar to the bullying notification requirements, these policies must include record-keeping and the provision of suicide prevention materials. The Texas Health and Human Services Commission will collaborate with the agency to select the appropriate materials and information. 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 vote from both houses of the legislature.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Education Code 37.0832, Education Code 38.351 (Education Code 38, Education Code 37)