Tex. Educ. Code Section 37.001
Student Code of Conduct


(a)

The board of trustees of an independent school district shall, with the advice of its district-level committee established under Subchapter F (Planning and Decision-making Process), Chapter 11 (School Districts), adopt a student code of conduct for the district. The student code of conduct must be posted and prominently displayed at each school campus or made available for review at the office of the campus principal. In addition to establishing standards for student conduct, the student code of conduct must:

(1)

specify the circumstances, in accordance with this subchapter, under which a student may be removed from a classroom, campus, disciplinary alternative education program, or vehicle owned or operated by the district;

(2)

specify conditions that authorize or require a principal or other appropriate administrator to transfer a student to a disciplinary alternative education program;

(3)

outline conditions under which a student may be suspended as provided by Section 37.005 (Suspension) or expelled as provided by Section 37.007 (Expulsion for Serious Offenses);

(4)

specify that consideration will be given, as a factor in each decision concerning suspension, removal to a disciplinary alternative education program, expulsion, or placement in a juvenile justice alternative education program, regardless of whether the decision concerns a mandatory or discretionary action, to:

(A)

self-defense;

(B)

intent or lack of intent at the time the student engaged in the conduct;

(C)

a student’s disciplinary history;

(D)

a disability that substantially impairs the student’s capacity to appreciate the wrongfulness of the student’s conduct;

(E)

a student’s status in the conservatorship of the Department of Family and Protective Services; or

(F)

a student’s status as a student who is homeless;

(5)

provide guidelines for setting the length of a term of:

(A)

a removal under Section 37.006 (Removal for Certain Conduct); and

(B)

an expulsion under Section 37.007 (Expulsion for Serious Offenses);

(6)

address the notification of a student’s parent or guardian of a violation of the student code of conduct committed by the student that results in suspension, removal to a disciplinary alternative education program, or expulsion;

(7)

prohibit bullying, harassment, and making hit lists and ensure that district employees enforce those prohibitions;

(8)

provide, as appropriate for students at each grade level, methods, including options, for:

(A)

managing students in the classroom, on school grounds, and on a vehicle owned or operated by the district;

(B)

disciplining students; and

(C)

preventing and intervening in student discipline problems, including bullying, harassment, and making hit lists; and

(9)

include an explanation of the provisions regarding refusal of entry to or ejection from district property under Section 37.105 (Unauthorized Persons: Refusal of Entry, Ejection, Identification), including the appeal process established under Section 37.105 (Unauthorized Persons: Refusal of Entry, Ejection, Identification)(h).

(b)

In this section:

(1)

“Bullying” has the meaning assigned by Section 37.0832 (Bullying Prevention Policies and Procedures).

(2)

“Harassment” means threatening to cause harm or bodily injury to another student, engaging in sexually intimidating conduct, causing physical damage to the property of another student, subjecting another student to physical confinement or restraint, or maliciously taking any action that substantially harms another student’s physical or emotional health or safety.

(3)

“Hit list” means a list of people targeted to be harmed, using:

(A)

a firearm, as defined by Section 46.01 (Definitions)(3), Penal Code;

(B)

a knife, as defined by Section 46.01 (Definitions)(7), Penal Code; or

(C)

any other object to be used with intent to cause bodily harm.

(4)

“Student who is homeless” has the meaning assigned to the term “homeless children and youths” under 42 U.S.C. Section 11434a.

(b-1)

The methods adopted under Subsection (a)(8) must provide that a student who is enrolled in a special education program under Subchapter A (Statewide Plan), Chapter 29 (Educational Programs), may not be disciplined for conduct prohibited in accordance with Subsection (a)(7) until an admission, review, and dismissal committee meeting has been held to review the conduct.

(c)

Once the student code of conduct is promulgated, any change or amendment must be approved by the board of trustees.

(d)

Each school year, a school district shall provide parents notice of and information regarding the student code of conduct.

(e)

Except as provided by Section 37.007 (Expulsion for Serious Offenses)(e), this subchapter does not require the student code of conduct to specify a minimum term of a removal under Section 37.006 (Removal for Certain Conduct) or an expulsion under Section 37.007 (Expulsion for Serious Offenses).
Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 260, Sec. 1, eff. May 30, 1995. Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1015, Sec. 2, eff. June 19, 1997; Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1055, Sec. 4, 30, eff. June 20, 2003.
Amended by:
Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 504 (H.B. 603), Sec. 1, eff. June 17, 2005.
Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 920 (H.B. 283), Sec. 3, eff. June 18, 2005.
Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 897 (H.B. 171), Sec. 1, eff. June 19, 2009.
Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 776 (H.B. 1942), Sec. 5, eff. June 17, 2011.
Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 487 (S.B. 1541), Sec. 1, eff. June 14, 2013.
Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1409 (S.B. 1114), Sec. 3, eff. September 1, 2013.
Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 924 (S.B. 1553), Sec. 4, eff. June 15, 2017.
Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 167 (H.B. 811), Sec. 1, eff. May 24, 2019.
Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 167 (H.B. 811), Sec. 2, eff. May 24, 2019.

Source: Section 37.001 — Student Code of Conduct, https://statutes.­capitol.­texas.­gov/Docs/ED/htm/ED.­37.­htm#37.­001 (accessed Jun. 5, 2024).

37.001
Student Code of Conduct
37.002
Removal by Teacher
37.003
Placement Review Committee
37.004
Placement of Students with Disabilities
37.005
Suspension
37.006
Removal for Certain Conduct
37.007
Expulsion for Serious Offenses
37.008
Disciplinary Alternative Education Programs
37.009
Conference
37.010
Court Involvement
37.011
Juvenile Justice Alternative Education Program
37.0011
Use of Corporal Punishment
37.0012
Designation of Campus Behavior Coordinator
37.012
Funding of Juvenile Justice Alternative Education Programs
37.013
Coordination Between School Districts and Juvenile Boards
37.0013
Positive Behavior Program
37.014
Court-related Children--liaison Officers
37.015
Reports to Local Law Enforcement
37.016
Report of Drug Offenses
37.017
Destruction of Certain Records
37.018
Information for Educators
37.019
Emergency Placement or Expulsion
37.020
Reports Relating to Out-of-school Suspensions, Expulsions, and Disciplinary Alternative Education Program Placements
37.0021
Use of Confinement, Restraint, Seclusion, and Time-out
37.021
Opportunity to Complete Courses During In-school and Certain Other Placements
37.0022
Removal by School Bus Driver
37.022
Notice of Disciplinary Action
37.0023
Prohibited Aversive Techniques
37.023
Transition from Alternative Education Program to Regular Classroom
37.0051
Placement of Students Committing Sexual Assault Against Another Student
37.051
Establishment
37.052
Cooperative Programs
37.0052
Placement or Expulsion of Students Who Have Engaged in Certain Bullying Behavior
37.053
Cooperation of Governmental Agencies
37.054
Parental Notice, Consent, and Access to Information
37.055
Parental Involvement
37.056
Court Supervision
37.0061
Funding for Alternative Education Services in Juvenile Residential Facilities
37.0062
Instructional Requirements for Alternative Education Services in Juvenile Residential Facilities
37.0081
Expulsion and Placement of Certain Students in Alternative Settings
37.081
School District Peace Officers, School Resource Officers, and Security Personnel
37.0082
Assessment of Academic Growth of Students in Disciplinary Alternative Education Programs
37.082
Possession of Paging Devices
37.083
Discipline Management Programs
37.084
Interagency Sharing of Records
37.085
Arrests Prohibited for Certain Class C Misdemeanors
37.086
Required Posting of Warning Signs of Increased Trafficking Penalties
37.087
Immunity from Liability
37.089
Role of Persons Carrying a Firearm on School Grounds
37.0091
Notice to Noncustodial Parent
37.101
Applicability of Criminal Laws
37.102
Rules
37.103
Enforcement of Rules
37.104
Courts Having Jurisdiction
37.105
Unauthorized Persons: Refusal of Entry, Ejection, Identification
37.106
Vehicle Identification Insignia
37.107
Trespass on School Grounds
37.108
Multihazard Emergency Operations Plan
37.109
School Safety and Security Committee
37.110
Information Regarding Gang-free Zones
37.113
Notification Regarding Bomb Threat or Terroristic Threat
37.114
Best Practices for Emergency School Drills and Exercises
37.115
Threat Assessment and Safe and Supportive School Program and Team
37.117
Silent Panic Alert Technology
37.119
Certain Private Provider Access to School Safety Training
37.121
Fraternities, Sororities, Secret Societies, and Gangs
37.122
Possession of Intoxicants on Public School Grounds
37.123
Disruptive Activities
37.124
Disruption of Classes
37.125
Exhibition, Use, or Threat of Exhibition or Use of Firearms
37.126
Disruption of Transportation
37.141
Definitions
37.142
Conflict of Law
37.143
Citation Prohibited
37.144
Graduated Sanctions for Certain School Offenses
37.145
Complaint
37.146
Requisites of Complaint
37.147
Prosecuting Attorneys
37.148
Right to Report Crime
37.151
Definitions
37.0151
Report to Local Law Enforcement Regarding Certain Conduct Constituting Assault or Harassment
37.152
Personal Hazing Offense
37.153
Organization Hazing Offense
37.154
Consent Not a Defense
37.155
Immunity from Prosecution or Civil Liability Available
37.156
Offenses in Addition to Other Penal Provisions
37.157
Reporting by Medical Authorities
37.158
Venue
37.0181
Professional Development Regarding Disciplinary Procedures
37.201
Definition
37.202
Purpose
37.203
Board
37.204
Officers
37.205
Safety Training Programs
37.207
Model Safety and Security Audit Procedure
37.208
On-site Assistance
37.209
Center Website
37.211
Recognition of Schools
37.212
Interagency Cooperation
37.213
Public Junior Colleges
37.214
Authority to Accept Certain Funds
37.215
Budget
37.216
Biennial Report
37.217
Community Education Relating to Internet Safety
37.218
Programs on Dangers of Students Sharing Visual Material Depicting Minor Engaged in Sexual Conduct
37.220
Model Threat Assessment Team Policies and Procedures
37.221
Facilities Standards Review
37.222
Resources on Safe Firearm Storage
37.301
Definition
37.302
Applicability
37.303
Removal of Registered Sex Offender from Regular Classroom
37.304
Placement of Registered Sex Offender Who Is Under Court Supervision
37.305
Placement of Registered Sex Offender Who Is Not Under Court Supervision
37.306
Review of Placement in Alternative Education Program
37.307
Placement and Review of Student with Disability
37.308
Transfer of Registered Sex Offender
37.309
Placement in Disciplinary Alternative Education Program or Juvenile Justice Alternative Education Program
37.310
Funding for Registered Sex Offender Placed in Juvenile Justice Alternative Education Program
37.311
Conference
37.312
Liability
37.313
Conflicts of Law
37.351
Facilities Standards Compliance
37.352
Purchasing Requirements
37.353
Good Cause Exception
37.354
Funding for Facilities Standards Compliance
37.355
Confidentiality
37.0811
School Marshals: Public Schools
37.0812
Training Policy: School District Peace Officers and School Resource Officers
37.0813
School Marshals: Private Schools
37.0814
Armed Security Officer Required
37.0815
Transportation or Storage of Firearm and Ammunition by License Holder in School Parking Area
37.0818
Private School Peace Officers
37.0831
Dating Violence Policies
37.0832
Bullying Prevention Policies and Procedures
37.1081
Public Hearing on Multihazard Emergency Operations Plan Noncompliance
37.1082
Multihazard Emergency Operations Plan Noncompliance
37.1083
Agency Monitoring of School District Safety and Security Requirements
37.1084
Regional School Safety Review Teams
37.1085
Assignment of Conservator for Noncompliance with School Safety and Security Requirements
37.1086
Guidelines for Multihazard Emergency Operations Plan Provisions for Individuals with Disabilities or Impairments
37.1131
Notification Regarding Violent Activity
37.1141
Active Threat Exercises
37.2071
District Multihazard Emergency Operations Plan Review and Verification
37.2091
Registry of Persons Providing School Safety or Security Consulting Services
37.2121
Memoranda of Understanding and Mutual Aid Agreements
37.2161
School Safety and Security Progress Report
37.08131
Memorandum of Understanding Between Public and Private Schools Regarding School Marshals

Accessed:
Jun. 5, 2024

§ 37.001’s source at texas​.gov