The commissioner must issue rules with recommendations and guidelines for accommodating students with disabilities or impairments during school drills and for related emergency plan communications; school districts must follow those guidelines when using their multihazard emergency operations plans.
Sec. 37.1086. RECOMMENDATIONS AND GUIDELINES FOR SCHOOL DRILL ACCOMMODATIONS AND MULTIHAZARD EMERGENCY OPERATIONS PLAN PROVISIONS FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES OR IMPAIRMENTS. (a) The commissioner by rule shall establish: (1) recommendations regarding accommodations for a student with an individualized education program or a plan created under Section 504, Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Section 794) during a mandatory school drill required under Section 37.114; and (2) guidelines for: (A) the documentation of accommodations for a student described by Subdivision (1) in the provisions in a school district's multihazard emergency operations plan under Section 37.108(f)(4) to ensure the safety of students and district personnel with disabilities or impairments during a mandatory school drill required under Section 37.114 or a disaster or emergency situation; (B) required communications between campus administrators and staff regarding the accommodations described by Paragraph (A); and (C) required communications between campus administrators and the school district's school safety and security committee established under Section 37.109 regarding students or district personnel with disabilities or impairments for purposes of providing recommendations for updating the district's multihazard emergency operations plan required by Section 37.108(a). (b) In establishing recommendations and guidelines under Subsection (a), the commissioner shall consult with: (1) the Texas School Safety Center; (2) regional education service centers; (3) public school educators and administrators who work with students with disabilities or impairments; and (4) advocacy groups representing individuals with disabilities or impairments. (c) A school district must follow the guidelines established by the commissioner under Subsection (a)(2) in adopting and implementing the district's multihazard emergency operations plan under Section 37.108. Added by Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 896 (H.B. 3), Sec. 14, eff. September 1, 2023. Amended by: Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 962 (S.B. 57), Sec. 2, eff. June 20, 2025.