89R5871 RAL-D     By: Schatzline H.B. No. 1704       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to a parent's right to be notified by a school district   concerning acts of self-harm by the parent's child.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Chapter 26, Education Code, is amended by adding   Section 26.0083 to read as follows:          Sec. 26.0083.  PARENTAL NOTIFICATION CONCERNING ACTS OF   SELF-HARM BY PARENT'S CHILD. (a) In this section, "self-harm"   includes:                (1)  attempted suicide;                (2)  the expression of suicidal ideation;                (3)  the intentional ingestion of toxins;                (4)  hitting, cutting, or burning oneself, or engaging   in other acts of self-mutilation;                (5)  engaging in high-risk sexual behavior;                (6)  altering one's biological sex;                (7)  abusing drugs or alcohol; and                (8)  engaging in any other behavior that causes   self-injury.          (b)  A school district shall immediately notify a parent if   the parent's child engages in or expresses a desire to engage in an   act of self-harm, or otherwise indicates by words or behavior a   likelihood of engaging in an act of self-harm, including words or   behavior expressing gender dysphoria or other distress relating to   the child's biological sex.          (c)  An employee of a school district who witnesses a child   engage in an act, expression, or behavior described by Subsection   (b) shall immediately inform an appropriate district   administrator.          (d)  A school district employee who fails to comply with   Subsection (c) may be subject to, as applicable:                (1)  discharge or suspension without pay under Section   21.104 or 21.156; or                (2)  termination or suspension under Section 21.211.          SECTION 2.  This Act applies beginning with the 2025-2026   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, 2025.