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Bill

HB 458

Relating to the discipline of students enrolled in certain grade levels or receiving special education services in a public school.

89th Legislature (2025) Introduced by John Bucy

Texas HB 458 would create differentiated student discipline rules for lower grade levels and special education students to increase protections against exclusionary school discipline practices.

Referred to Public Education
#education--primary&secondary--discipline(i0244) #education--primary&secondary--special(i0243) #education--schooldistricts(i0220)
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Bill Summary · HB 458

Legislative bill overview

HB 458 proposes to modify student discipline policies in Texas public schools, specifically affecting certain grade levels and students receiving special education services. The bill aims to establish different or more protective disciplinary standards for these vulnerable student populations compared to general disciplinary procedures.

Why is this important

Student discipline policies directly affect educational access and outcomes, particularly for younger students and those with disabilities who may be more vulnerable to exclusionary practices like suspensions and expulsions. These policies also influence school safety approaches, special education compliance with federal law, and the school-to-prison pipeline debate that has gained significant attention in education policy discussions.

Potential points of contention

  • Scope ambiguity: The bill's reference to "certain grade levels" lacks specificity, raising questions about which grades qualify and whether lower grades deserve fundamentally different discipline approaches than upper grades
  • Special education compliance: Balancing enhanced protections for special education students against school safety concerns and whether existing federal IDEA protections are sufficient
  • Enforcement and resources: Implementation could require significant teacher training, documentation changes, and administrative restructuring without clear funding mechanisms specified in the brief description

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

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