HOUSTON – Texas lawmakers are advancing several bills that could impact student experience in schools across the state, ranging from enhanced safety measures to religious expression and technology use policies.
A key safety measure heading to the governor’s desk focuses on ensuring life-saving automated external defibrillators (AEDs) are properly maintained in schools. The legislation follows the death of 14-year-old Landon Payton, who collapsed during basketball at Houston’s Marshall Middle School last fall. The Harris County Medical Examiner’s Office recently reported his cause of death remains undetermined.
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“A functioning AED machine was not available until first responders arrived, which unfortunately was too late,” said State Senator Carol Alvarado (D-Houston), who authored Senate Bill 1177, during an April public hearing. “His tragic passing highlighting critical gap in safety measures across Texas schools.”
Senate Bill 1177 requires schools to conduct thorough examinations of all AEDs, including verification of working batteries and unexpired defibrillator pads. Schools must report any issues to both the principal and superintendent, with private schools reporting to their directors.
Another bill, House Bill 1481, would restrict cell phone use during instructional time, aligning with policies already implemented by several Houston-area districts, including Houston ISD, Cypress-Fairbanks ISD, and Katy ISD. The proposed statewide ban has gained bipartisan support in Austin, following similar policies adopted by at least eight other states in the past two years.
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Some parents express concerns about the cell phone restrictions. “I think the policy neglects the parents’ ability to decide what’s best for their child. It cuts off communication,” said Leah Richards, a parent in the Katy ISD system.
Senate Bill 11, authored by State Sen. Mayes Middleton (R-Galveston), would allow prayer time in schools without replacing instructional time. The legislation enables school boards to authorize administrators to set aside time for students to pray or read religious texts of their choice.
“In Texas, our schools are not God-free zones,” Middleton stated. “This bill outlines a framework that school districts may use if they vote to allow a period of Bible reading or other religious text.”
The prayer provision requires parental consent, and students who don’t participate must be separated from those engaging in prayer or religious text reading. Critics argue the measure could expose the state to legal challenges.
If signed into law, the AED maintenance requirements will take effect in September, while implementation timelines for the other measures await final approval.