HB 275 — Providing for an election by the parent of a student who

90R3334 KJE-F By: Leo Wilson H.B. No. 275 relating to providing for an election by the parent of a student who was subjected to sexual grooming at a public school to transfer the student to another public school campus or receive funding for the student to attend private school.

SECTION 1. Chapter 38, Education Code, is amended by adding Subchapter H to read as follows: SUBCHAPTER H. PROTECTIONS FOR VICTIMS OF SEXUAL GROOMING Sec. 38.401. SCHOOL CHOICE. The parent of an eligible student may elect for the student to: (1) be transferred to another school district campus as provided by Section 38.403; or (2) receive funding for the cost of educating the student in a private school as provided by Section 38.404. Sec. 38.402. ELIGIBILITY. (a) A student is eligible for purposes of this subchapter if: (1) the student is enrolled in a school district; (2) the student's parent determines that the student, while at the school district in which the student is enrolled, has been: (A) the victim of an offense for which the perpetrator would be required to register as a sex offender under Chapter 62, Code of Criminal Procedure; or (B) subjected to any effort to: (i) desensitize children to sexual experiences; or (ii) normalize sexual relationships between adults and children or between children; and (3) the student's parent submits to the agency an affidavit in the form and manner prescribed by commissioner rule stating that the parent has made the determination described by Subdivision (2). (b) A student who establishes eligibility under Subsection (a) continues to be eligible for purposes of this subchapter until the earliest of the following dates: (1) the date on which the student graduates from high school; or (2) the date on which the student is no longer eligible to attend a public school under Section 25.001. Sec. 38.403. TRANSFER. On request of the parent of an eligible student, the board of trustees of the school district in which the student is enrolled shall transfer the student to another district campus or school district of the parent's choice. Sec. 38.404. PRIVATE SCHOOL FUNDING. (a) If the parent of an eligible student elects for the student to enroll in a private school, the parent is entitled to receive from the state an annual amount equal to the lesser of: (1) the amount to which the school district in which the student resides would be entitled to receive for the student under Chapter 48 if the student were enrolled in the district; or (2) the tuition and fees at the private school. (b) Money received under this section may be used only for the payment of tuition and fees at a private school accredited by an organization that is recognized by the Texas Private School Accreditation Commission. (c) A payment under Subsection (a) may not be financed using federal money or money appropriated from the available school fund. (d) A private school selected by the parent of an eligible student for the student to attend may not be required to comply with any state law or rule governing the school's educational program that was not in effect on January 1, 2027. Sec. 38.405. RULES. The commissioner shall adopt rules as necessary to implement this subchapter, including rules to prevent fraud or abuse.

SECTION 2. This Act applies beginning with the 2027-2028 school year.

SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2027.