Bill Caption

Relating to prohibiting a student from participating in future extracurricular activities for certain conduct involving the assault of an extracurricular activity official. 

Fiscal Notes

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated. 

Bill Analysis

HB 2721 would require that any student enrolled in a school district in this state or participating in a University Interscholastic League competition be prohibited from participation in any future extracurricular activity sponsored or sanctioned by the school district or UIL if the student engages in an assault against a person serving as referee, judge, or another official of an extracurricular activity and in retaliation for or as a result of the person’s actions taken in performing the duties of a referee, judge, or other official of the extracurricular activity. 

Vote Recommendation Notes

Texas Action is opposed to HB 2721 on the principle of limited government. While we do not in any way support violence against these officials, the disciplinary actions against these students would best be left to local school districts.

Furthermore, this bill would institute a blanket ban with no opportunity for redemption and restoration which are concepts deeply woven into our culture and in our judicial system. Elsewhere this session, the legislature has considered numerous bills to minimize the collateral consequences of certain criminal offenses, including expungement of records for certain offenses if a variety of conditions are satisfied. At a minimum, HB 2721 should be amended to allow local schools to institute a process through which a student may restore their eligibility for future involvement in extracurricular activity, including competition in UIL events.