Senate committee hears testimony on bill to allow civil suits when Texas schools are negligent in abuse cases

Senators on the Committee on Education K–16 heard more than four hours of public testimony on House Bill 46 23, a measure from Rep. (filed in the House) that would allow civil claims against Texas public schools when the district is negligent in hiring, supervising or retaining employees who commit abuse against students.

The bill’s sponsor in the Senate, Sen. Paxton, told the committee the measure removes sovereign immunity for specific acts of negligence so victims can seek redress. Supporters framed the change as a narrow waiver of immunity tied to negligence in hiring or supervision; opponents and some senators asked how damages caps and procedural rules would operate in practice.

Sen. Paxton said the bill “allows civil claims to be brought against Texas public schools or professional school employees when the public school is negligent in the hiring, supervising, or employing of a professional school employee.” He told the committee…