87R5042 KJE-D     By: Thierry H.B. No. 1113       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to staff development for public school employees in   cultural competence and implicit bias and to discrimination on the   basis of hair texture or protective hairstyle associated with race.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Subchapter Z, Chapter 22, Education Code, is   amended by adding Section 22.903 to read as follows:          Sec. 22.903.  STAFF DEVELOPMENT IN CULTURAL COMPETENCE AND   IMPLICIT BIAS. (a) In this section:                (1)  "Cultural competence" means the ability to address   the educational needs of individuals from diverse backgrounds   effectively by applying knowledge, empathy, and insight into the   views on education that those backgrounds present.                (2)  "Implicit bias" means:                      (A)  bias in judgment or behavior that results   from subtle cognitive processes, including implicit attitudes and   implicit stereotypes, that often operate at a level below conscious   awareness and without intentional control; or                      (B)  implicit attitudes and stereotypes that   result in beliefs or simple associations that a person makes   between an object and its evaluation that are automatically   activated by the mere presence, actual or symbolic, of the attitude   object.          (b)  At least once every two years, a school district or   open-enrollment charter school shall provide staff development in   cultural competence and implicit bias to employees of the district   or school who regularly interact with students.          (c)  The staff development required under Subsection (b)   must include a discussion of cultural competence and implicit bias   with respect to student discipline.          SECTION 2.  Subchapter Z, Chapter 25, Education Code, is   amended by adding Section 25.902 to read as follows:          Sec. 25.902.  PROHIBITION ON CERTAIN DISCRIMINATION IN   STUDENT DRESS OR GROOMING POLICY. (a) In this section, "protective   hairstyle" includes braids, locks, and twists.           (b)  Any student dress or grooming policy adopted by a public   school, including a student dress or grooming policy for any   extracurricular activity, may not discriminate against a hair   texture or protective hairstyle commonly or historically   associated with race.          SECTION 3.  Subchapter Z, Chapter 51, Education Code, is   amended by adding Section 51.979 to read as follows:          Sec. 51.979.  PROHIBITION ON CERTAIN DISCRIMINATION IN   STUDENT DRESS OR GROOMING POLICY. (a) In this section:                (1)  "Institution of higher education" has the meaning   assigned by Section 61.003.                (2)  "Protective hairstyle" includes braids, locks,   and twists.          (b)  Any student dress or grooming policy adopted by an   institution of higher education, including a student dress or   grooming policy for any extracurricular activity, may not   discriminate against a hair texture or protective hairstyle   commonly or historically associated with race.          SECTION 4.  Subchapter C, Chapter 21, Labor Code, is amended   by adding Section 21.1095 to read as follows:          Sec. 21.1095.  RACIAL DISCRIMINATION BASED ON HAIR TEXTURE   OR PROTECTIVE HAIRSTYLE. (a) In this section, "protective   hairstyle" includes braids, locks, and twists.          (b)  A provision in this chapter referring to discrimination   because of race or on the basis of race includes discrimination   because of or on the basis of an employee's hair texture or   protective hairstyle commonly or historically associated with   race.           (c)  An employer, labor union, or employment agency commits   an unlawful employment practice if the employer, labor union, or   employment agency adopts or enforces a dress or grooming policy   that discriminates against a hair texture or protective hairstyle   commonly or historically associated with race.          SECTION 5.  Each school district or open-enrollment charter   school shall provide the initial staff development required under   Section 22.903, Education Code, as added by this Act, not later than   June 1, 2022.          SECTION 6.  Section 21.1095, Labor Code, as added by this   Act, applies only to an unlawful employment practice that occurs on   or after the effective date of this Act.          SECTION 7.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.