This is the begging of House Bill 1942 passed into law June 17, 2011. Many parents and students do not know about this law but as there are more and more incidents of bullying being brought forward, there are now more and more repercussions for this vial act. I would like to take you through the law little by little. You will notice that i have interjected my explanation and comments through out the law ((like this)) for all children that may be following this blog and want to better understand what their rights are in our fair state. I hope you will join me here each week and share this page with as many as you can because in someway, we are all affected by this.
A. House Bill 1942
House Bill (H.B.) 1942 became effective on June 17, 2011, after the Governor signed the bill during the 82nd regular session of the Texas legislature .51 The Texas legislature enacted H.B. 1942 and codified the bill into various sections of the Texas Education Code (TEC).52 State Representative Diane Patrick wrote H.B. 1942 to address changing issues relating to bullying ) “[f]or the first time, includes the definition of bullying in” the TEC;
(2) “[u]pdates the definition of bullying to include that through electronic means”; ((this means through any electronic means such as texting, emails, facbook, instagram, twitter and so on ))
(3) “provides for the transfer of the student who engages in bullying”—previously the school district could only transfer the victim of bullying; (( now the bully can be transferred an not just the victim ))
(4) “[a]llows [schools] to include training on preventing, identifying, responding to, and reporting incidents of bullying”; and (( to which many schools are enacting an anonymous programs for reporting such bullying ))
(5) “[m]andates that each board of trustees of each school district adopt a policy, including any necessary procedures, to address the prevention, investigation and reporting of incidents of bullying.”54In 2011, the Texas legislature passed H.B. 1942 along with other bills that addressed anti-bullying laws.55
As it is not my intention to over whelm you guys with a ton of legal lingo, I have chosen to introduce Texas law a little at a time. These are changes that all parents and guardians should be aware of. As a long time owner of a marital arts school, I made it my business to keep up with and know the law in my state regarding the law as it relates to self defense. All to often, I recall never hearing this topic addressed in my own training but I always wondered why no one told us the legal repercussions of punching an attacker in the throat. (and there are repercussions people).
I look forward to going through House Bill 1942 a little at a time with you all because knowledge is always the start of empowerment.
Be the Change you Want to be.
Peace.
Coach J
Want to read ahead click here to see the entire House Bill
