A new bill authored by State Rep. Gervin-Hawkins aims to enhance and standardize safety protocols in Texas public schools to better manage potential threats and emergencies, according to the Texas Legislature website.
The bill, introduced as HB 121 during the 89(1) legislative session on Friday, July 18, was formally listed with the short title: ’Relating to memorial plaques for the victims of the 2025 Hill Country flood’.
The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.
In essence, this bill introduces measures to enhance public school safety in Texas, effective from the 2025-26 school year. The Texas Education Agency is authorized to commission peace officers to enforce school safety regulations. School districts are required to incorporate comprehensive safety protocols in their emergency operation plans, including the designation of a chain of command, ensuring physical and psychological safety, immediate notification to guardians during emergencies, and provisions for extracurricular safety. A yearly report on school safety, identifying deficiencies and recommending corrective actions, must be submitted to state officials. Additionally, the bill mandates counties with populations under 350,000 to hold biannual meetings on school safety and law enforcement coordination. It also establishes a five-year limit for claimed safety standard exceptions, requiring reevaluation upon expiration. The bill aims to standardize and enhance safety procedures across schools to address and manage potential threats effectively.
Barbara Gervin-Hawkins, a member of the House Committee on Appropriations, proposed one other bill during the 89(1) legislative session. She is also a member of the House Committee on Appropriations – S/C on Articles I, IV, & V, a member of the House Committee on Redistricting, and a member of the House Committee on Ways & Means.
Bills in Texas go through a multi-step legislative process, including committee review, debates, and votes in both chambers before reaching a final decision. Each session, there are typically thousands of bills introduced, but only a portion successfully navigate the process to become law.
You can read more about the bills and other measures here.
| Legislative Session | Bill Number | Date Introduced | Short Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 89(1) | HB 100 | 07/15/2025 | Relating to the operability of first responder and public safety communication services used in responding to natural disasters or other emergencies on the Capitol grounds |
| 89(R) | HB 5634 | 03/14/2025 | Relating to the authority of certain municipalities and local government corporations to use certain tax revenue for certain qualified projects |
| 89(R) | HB 5474 | 03/14/2025 | Relating to reversionary interests of the Health and Human Services Commission in certain real property in Bexar County |
| 89(R) | HB 5473 | 03/14/2025 | Relating to certain interests of the Health and Human Services Commission in certain real property in Bexar County |
| 89(R) | HB 5472 | 03/14/2025 | Relating to the transfer of certain state property from the Health and Human Services Commission to the Bexar County Board of Trustees for Mental Health Mental Retardation Services d/b/a The Center for Health Care Services |
| 89(R) | HB 5085 | 03/13/2025 | Relating to a study on the impact of certain seed banks and seed preservation on access to food and the environment |
| 89(R) | HB 4687 | 03/12/2025 | Relating to the applicability of certain immunity and liability laws to certain charter school campuses or programs |
| 89(R) | HB 4686 | 03/12/2025 | Relating to the Texas alcohol tourism development program and advisory committee |
| 89(R) | HB 4510 | 03/12/2025 | Relating to first responder broadband network services used by first responders |
| 89(R) | HB 4334 | 03/11/2025 | Relating to the operability of first responder and public safety broadband networks on the Capitol grounds |
| 89(R) | HB 4110 | 03/07/2025 | Relating to establishing a minimum base wage for certain direct care workers under Medicaid |
| 89(R) | HB 3785 | 03/05/2025 | Relating to labeling requirements for compounded drug products |
| 89(R) | HB 3599 | 03/03/2025 | Relating to the certification of peer specialists and peer specialist supervisors for purposes of Medicaid mental health and substance use services |
| 89(R) | HB 3005 | 02/19/2025 | Relating to the payment of funds under certain construction contracts |
| 89(R) | HB 2707 | 02/12/2025 | Relating to the licensing and regulation of certain legal paraprofessionals; requiring an occupational license; imposing fees |
| 89(R) | HB 2624 | 02/10/2025 | Relating to the licensing and regulation of certain legal paraprofessionals; requiring an occupational license; imposing fees |
| 89(R) | HB 2386 | 02/04/2025 | Relating to the licensing and regulation of certain legal paraprofessionals and establishing a legal paraprofessional licensing pilot program; requiring an occupational license; imposing fees |
| 89(R) | HB 2148 | 01/28/2025 | Relating to the construction manager-at-risk and design-build methods of project delivery for a public work contract |
| 89(R) | HB 2039 | 01/23/2025 | Relating to an exemption from ad valorem taxation of the amount of the appraised value of residential real property that arises from the installation in the property of certain energy efficiency-related improvements |
| 89(R) | HB 1724 | 01/02/2025 | Relating to compensation for habilitation transportation services under the community living assistance and support services (CLASS) waiver program |
| 89(R) | HB 1721 | 01/02/2025 | Relating to establishing a base wage for personal attendants under the community living assistance and support services (CLASS) waiver program |
| 89(R) | HB 1720 | 01/02/2025 | Relating to the creation of the criminal offense of trespass in a facility housing an animal and to restitution for property damage resulting from that trespass |
| 89(R) | HB 1719 | 01/02/2025 | Relating to the provision of personal assistance services under the community living assistance and support services (CLASS) waiver program |
| 89(R) | HB 1528 | 12/05/2024 | Relating to the licensing and regulation of certain legal paraprofessionals; requiring an occupational license; imposing fees |
| 89(R) | HB 1483 | 12/02/2024 | Relating to an exemption from ad valorem taxation of the amount of the appraised value of certain residential real property that arises from the installation in the property of certain energy efficiency-related improvements |
| 89(R) | HB 1460 | 11/22/2024 | Relating to the establishment of a task force to locate relatives and certain individuals and to the procedures for providing notice to certain individuals on placement of a child in the managing conservatorship of the Department of Family and Protective Services |
| 89(R) | HB 1440 | 11/21/2024 | Relating to the Department of Family and Protective Services’ annual report of key performance measures and data elements for child protection; authorizing a penalty |
| 89(R) | HB 1342 | 11/15/2024 | Relating to the issuance of private activity bonds for qualified residential rental projects |
| 89(R) | HB 832 | 11/12/2024 | Relating to procedures regarding hearings and meetings held by or involving the University Interscholastic League |
| 89(R) | HB 830 | 11/12/2024 | Relating to the administration of the University Interscholastic League |
| 89(R) | HB 825 | 11/12/2024 | Relating to the implementation of certain rules regarding public school accountability adopted by the commissioner of education or the Texas Education Agency |
| 89(R) | HB 819 | 11/12/2024 | Relating to the functions and duties of the University Interscholastic League |
| 89(R) | HB 810 | 11/12/2024 | Relating to the requirements for hearings and meetings conducted by the University Interscholastic League |
| 89(R) | HB 804 | 11/12/2024 | Relating to creating abbreviated educator preparation programs for certification in marketing education and certification in health science technology education |
| 89(R) | HB 801 | 11/12/2024 | Relating to the application for funding for certain workforce development programs |
| 89(R) | HB 785 | 11/12/2024 | Relating to the adoption of a healthy and safe school water plan by public schools |
| 89(R) | HB 784 | 11/12/2024 | Relating to a grant program for municipal pedestrian infrastructure administered by the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs |
| 89(R) | HB 771 | 11/12/2024 | Relating to a single common course numbering system for and the transfer of course credit among public institutions of higher education in this state |
| 89(R) | HB 769 | 11/12/2024 | Relating to a grant program for neighborhood organization pedestrian infrastructure administered by the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs |
| 89(R) | HB 753 | 11/12/2024 | Relating to the offering of certain high school courses for which students may earn college credit |
| 89(R) | HB 752 | 11/12/2024 | Relating to a grant program for the preservation and restoration of, and education regarding, certain landmarks and buildings important to African American history in this state |
| 89(R) | HB 741 | 11/12/2024 | Relating to the procedures for the removal of certain children in the managing conservatorship of the Department of Family and Protective Services and monetary assistance provided by the Department of Family and Protective Services to certain relative or designated caregivers |
| 89(R) | HB 738 | 11/12/2024 | Relating to creation by the Texas Historical Commission of a program to identify and restore Rosenwald Schools structures |
| 89(R) | HB 723 | 11/12/2024 | Relating to school bus monitoring systems and the required reporting of certain offenses recorded by those systems |
| 89(R) | HB 719 | 11/12/2024 | Relating to a manufacturer’s disclosure of ingredients and toxic metals in lipstick and lip gloss |
| 89(R) | HB 707 | 11/12/2024 | Relating to the use of parental child safety placements |
| 89(R) | HB 699 | 11/12/2024 | Relating to a manufacturer’s disclosure of cosmetic ingredients; authorizing an administrative penalty |
| 89(R) | HB 694 | 11/12/2024 | Relating to the notification of certain persons concerning certain events related to children in the managing conservatorship of the Department of Family and Protective Services |
| 89(R) | HB 689 | 11/12/2024 | Relating to increasing the criminal penalty for certain offenses committed in a vehicle operated by a public transportation system |
| 89(R) | HB 681 | 11/12/2024 | Relating to policies and procedures of the Department of Family and Protective Services, including regarding service plans and post-removal assessments |
