Sec. 37.015. REPORTS TO LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT; LIABILITY. (a) The principal of a public or private primary or secondary school, or a person designated by the principal under Subsection (d), shall notify any school district police department and the police department of the municipality in which the school is located or, if the school is not in a municipality, the sheriff of the county in which the school is located if the principal has reasonable grounds to believe that any of the following activities occur in school, on school property, or at a school-sponsored or school-related activity on or off school property, whether or not the activity is investigated by school security officers:
(1) conduct that may constitute an offense listed under Section 508.149, Government Code;
(2) deadly conduct under Section 22.05, Penal Code;
(3) a terroristic threat under Section 22.07, Penal Code;
(4) the use, sale, or possession of a controlled substance, drug paraphernalia, or marihuana under Chapter 481, Health and Safety Code;
(5) the possession of any of the weapons or devices listed under Sections 46.01(1)-(14) or Section 46.01(16), Penal Code;
(6) conduct that may constitute a criminal offense under Section 71.02, Penal Code; or
(7) conduct that may constitute a criminal offense for which a student may be expelled under Section 37.007(a), (d), or (e).
(b) A person who makes a notification under this section shall include the name and address of each student the person believes may have participated in the activity.
(c) A notification is not required under Subsection (a) if the person reasonably believes that the activity does not constitute a criminal offense.
(d) The principal of a public or private primary or secondary school may designate a school employee who is under the supervision of the principal to make the reports required by this section.
(e) The person who makes the notification required under Subsection (a) shall also notify each instructional or support employee of the school who has regular contact with a student whose conduct is the subject of the notice.
(f) A person is not liable in civil damages for reporting in good faith as required by this section.
Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 260, Sec. 1, eff. May 30, 1995. Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 165, Sec. 12.05, eff. Sept. 1, 1997; Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1055, Sec. 19, eff. June 20, 2003.
Structure Texas Statutes
Chapter 37 - Discipline; Law and Order
Subchapter A. Alternative Settings for Behavior Management
Section 37.001. Student Code of Conduct
Section 37.0011. Use of Corporal Punishment
Section 37.0012. Designation of Campus Behavior Coordinator
Section 37.0013. Positive Behavior Program
Section 37.002. Removal by Teacher
Section 37.0021. Use of Confinement, Restraint, Seclusion, and Time-Out
Section 37.0022. Removal by School Bus Driver
Section 37.0023. Prohibited Aversive Techniques
Section 37.003. Placement Review Committee
Section 37.004. Placement of Students With Disabilities
Section 37.0051. Placement of Students Committing Sexual Assault Against Another Student
Section 37.0052. Placement or Expulsion of Students Who Have Engaged in Certain Bullying Behavior
Section 37.006. Removal for Certain Conduct
Section 37.0061. Funding for Alternative Education Services in Juvenile Residential Facilities
Section 37.007. Expulsion for Serious Offenses
Section 37.008. Disciplinary Alternative Education Programs
Section 37.0081. Expulsion and Placement of Certain Students in Alternative Settings
Section 37.009. Conference; Hearing; Review
Section 37.0091. Notice to Noncustodial Parent
Section 37.010. Court Involvement
Section 37.011. Juvenile Justice Alternative Education Program
Section 37.012. Funding of Juvenile Justice Alternative Education Programs
Section 37.013. Coordination Between School Districts and Juvenile Boards
Section 37.014. Court-Related Children--Liaison Officers
Section 37.015. Reports to Local Law Enforcement; Liability
Section 37.016. Report of Drug Offenses; Liability
Section 37.017. Destruction of Certain Records
Section 37.018. Information for Educators
Section 37.0181. Professional Development Regarding Disciplinary Procedures
Section 37.019. Emergency Placement or Expulsion
Section 37.021. Opportunity to Complete Courses During In-School and Certain Other Placements
Section 37.022. Notice of Disciplinary Action
Section 37.023. Transition From Alternative Education Program to Regular Classroom