Education subcommittee advances several school-policy bills after testimony on student voice, safety and homeschooling

The Education Administration subcommittee met on March 11, 2025, and voted on a series of education bills spanning school safety, student engagement, childcare access and homeschooling policy. Several items passed out of committee to the full Education Committee, while others were defeated or rolled for further consideration.

Why it matters: The panel considered policy changes that affect daily school operations and student supports — from whether parents must be notified about school threats, to who may sit as a nonvoting student member of a school board, to new training and screening practices intended to identify and respond to student health and safety needs. Several bills included public testimony from students, school administrators and family members directly affected by the issues.

Votes at a glance

- House Bill 10 88 — requires local education agencies that report credible threats of violence or significantly disruptive behavior to law enforcement to also notify parents or guardians of enrolled students within 24 hours of the report. Outcome: passed out to full committee (6 ayes).

- House Bill 7 64 (as amended) — revises rules for school searches, specifying that searches may be conducted by a school resource officer acting as a school official, a school security officer, or a school administrator who has completed State Board of Education training; includes parent-notification provisions. Outcome: passed out to full committee (6 ayes).

- House Bill 11 75 (as amended) — allows childcare centers similar leasing or purchase access to underutilized local education agency property, clarifies operations for school-based childcare programs and classifies…