Three Bills That Affect Public Schools, Universities

In Texas’s 85^th Legislative session, at least three bills were passed to help improve safety and communications at universities.

In Texas’s 85^th Legislative session, at least three bills were passed to help improve safety and communications at universities.

Senate Bill 969 will grant amnesty to students reporting a sexual assault even if the student themselves was violating a law, such as, possession and consumption of alcohol by a minor or the use of drugs. It will also grant witnesses of the assault amnesty.

SB 968 will allow students and employees of universities to submit sexual assault reports electronically; reporters will also be able to file a report anonymously.

SB 969 and 968 went into effect on May 12.

SB 179, or David’s Law, will require the establishment of methods for students to report cyberbullying by public schools. Parents of the victim and the bully will have to be notified by school administration within 24 hours.

Cyberbullying will also become a class B misdemeanor with SB 179. It also creates a criminal offense for bullying with intent to cause harm or provoke suicide.

Bullying “means a single significant act or a pattern of acts by one or more students directed at another student that exploits an imbalance of power and involves engaging in written or verbal expression, expression through electronic means, or physical conduct…” the full definition of bullying as defined by the Texas Legislature can be read here.

SB 179 will go into effect on Sept. 1.