TEXAS HOUSE OKs BILL ON INAPPROPRIATE STUDENT-TEACHER RELATIOSHIPS

  

The Texas House approved a bill on Tuesday aimed at curbing improper relationships between students and teachers.

Houston Republican Senator Paul Bettencourt’s measure would allow school principals and district superintendents who don’t report improper teacher conduct to state authorities to be charged with a felony- punishable by up to two years in prison.

The measure also requires school districts to create guidelines on student-teacher text messaging and online communication. In addition, it strips teachers convicted of some felonies involving improper relationships of their pensions.

Lawmakers have expressed alarm at the seemingly growing problem in the recent years.

Through the end of January, the Texas Education Agency opened 97 new cases of improper student-teacher relationships in the fiscal year that began last Sept. 1st. There were 66 cases that were opened during the same time period last year.

The bill passed the Senate in March and received the final House approval on Tuesday with a 146-0 vote.