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HB 655

Education - Student Behavior - Parent and Guardian Notice and Required Counseling (Parent and Guardian Accountability Act)

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Kevin Anderson and 4 co-sponsors

HB 655 mandates parent notification and required student counseling following school behavior infractions to increase parental accountability in student discipline.

Hearing 2/18 at 1:00 p.m.
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Bill Summary · HB 655

Legislative bill overview

HB 655 requires schools to notify parents/guardians when students engage in certain behavioral infractions and mandates that students receive counseling before returning to school following these incidents. The bill appears designed to increase parental involvement in student discipline and behavioral correction processes.

Why is this important

Student behavior management directly affects school safety, learning environments, and student outcomes. This bill attempts to bridge home and school by making parents accountable partners in addressing behavioral issues, potentially improving intervention effectiveness. However, implementation raises questions about school resource allocation, counseling availability, and whether mandates serve all students equitably.

Potential points of contention

  • Counselor capacity: Schools already face counselor shortages; requiring counseling before return could create backlogs, keeping students out of school longer and potentially worsening outcomes for students with underlying mental health needs
  • Definition of infractions: The bill's scope depends heavily on which behaviors trigger notification and counseling requirements—minor infractions might overwhelm parents while serious ones might be insufficient
  • Equity concerns: Students from under-resourced communities may face longer delays accessing counseling services, creating disparate impacts; families with less availability to engage may struggle with enforcement
  • Financial burden: Unfunded mandates could strain district budgets, particularly for smaller or rural schools with limited counseling staff

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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