SB 27 Texas Senate · 89th Legislature (2025)

Relating to the rights of public school educators and financial and other assistance provided to educators and to public schools by the Texas Education Agency related to public school educators.

SB 27 modifies Texas education law to protect public school educators' rights and provide financial support. It requires salary reductions for unpaid leave to be calculated using annual salary divided by expected workdays (affecting teachers, counselors, and librarians), waives certification exam fees for first-time applicants in special education and bilingual programs, and prevents sanctions against educators who leave probationary contracts after the 45th day before school starts due to serious illness or spouse relocation. The bill directly impacts educators seeking certification and those on probationary contracts, while also directing the Texas Education Agency to cover exam fees for qualifying applicants. These changes aim to reduce financial barriers and provide clearer protections for educators during employment transitions.
Bill status passed both 4 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
May 2025
Senate Passage
Apr 2025
House Passage
May 2025
Governor
Introduced Feb 27, 2025 Last action May 21, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced Engrossed · 7 edits · Apr 3, 2025
MODERATE
This bill significantly updates Texas education law to strengthen teacher protections, improve student discipline procedures, and enhance support for educators. Key changes include expanding protections for teachers who resign due to health issues, relocation, or family needs; creating new grant programs to help districts hire retired teachers; and establishing clearer procedures for student removal from class due to disruptive behavior.
Scope change
The bill expands applicability to include new provisions for teacher leave options, retired teacher hiring incentives, and enhanced student discipline protocols that apply to all public school districts and charter schools in Texas.
ELIGIBILITY

Added protections for teachers who resign due to serious illness, relocation, family needs, or reasonable belief of administrative permission to resign, preventing sanctions in these circumstances.

FISCAL

Created a reimbursement grant program to help districts hire teachers who retired before September 1, 2024, covering increased retirement system contributions.

REQUIREMENT

Established new requirements for teacher duty calendars and position posting procedures to ensure transparency in hiring and scheduling.

Updated student removal from class procedures to allow action based on single incidents of disruptive behavior rather than requiring repeated interference.

Added new provisions requiring districts to provide notice and response opportunities in grievance procedures involving teacher complaints.

Created new requirements for threat assessment teams to maintain confidentiality for employees who report potential threats.

TIMELINE

Set effective dates for various provisions, with some applying beginning with the 2025-2026 school year and others taking effect immediately upon passage.

Floor votes · House May 20, 2025

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
49
Key actions
16
Committee
11
Amendments
6
May 20, 2025
Upper · Passed
House passage as amended reported
upper
May 20, 2025
Lower · Passed
Passed
lower
May 19, 2025
Lower · Passed
Passed to 3rd reading as amended
lower
May 19, 2025
Lower · Passed
Amended
lower
May 13, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee report sent to Calendars
lower
May 12, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee report distributed
lower
May 9, 2025
Lower · Passed
Reported favorably w/o amendment(s)
lower
May 7, 2025
Lower · Passed
Left pending in committee
lower
May 7, 2025
Lower · Passed
Testimony taken/registration(s) recorded in committee
lower
Apr 17, 2025
Committee
Referred to Public Education
lower
Apr 17, 2025
Introduced
Read first time
lower
Apr 7, 2025
Introduced
Received from the Senate
lower
Apr 3, 2025
Upper · Passed
Passed
upper
Apr 3, 2025
Upper · Passed
Passed to engrossment as amended
upper
Apr 3, 2025
Upper · Passed
Amended
upper
Apr 3, 2025
Introduced
Amendment(s) offered
upper
Mar 31, 2025
Upper · Passed
Committee report printed and distributed
upper
Mar 31, 2025
Upper · Passed
Reported favorably as substituted
upper
Mar 25, 2025
Upper · Passed
Vote taken in committee
upper
Mar 25, 2025
Upper · Passed
Testimony taken in committee
upper
Feb 28, 2025
Committee
Referred to Education K-16
upper
Feb 28, 2025
Introduced
Read first time
upper
2 primary · 12 co-sponsors

Sponsors