Relating to the applicability of laws regarding school crossing guards to open-enrollment charter schools.

HB 4481 clarifies that open-enrollment charter schools in Texas must follow the same state laws regarding school crossing guards as traditional public schools. The bill amends the Education Code to explicitly classify charter schools as "a local authority" under Transportation Code provisions for crossing guard requirements. This means charter schools will now be subject to existing safety regulations for placing crossing guards near school campuses. The change applies starting the 2025-2026 school year, ensuring all public schools - whether district-run or charter - comply with uniform crossing guard protocols.