All Roll Calls
Yes: 482 • No: 65
TexasHB 462389th Legislature Regular SessionHouseWALLET
Relating to liability of public schools and professional school employees for sexual misconduct involving students.
Sponsored By: Harold V. Dutton Jr., Terri Leo Wilson, Mitch Little, Angela Paxton (Republican)
Signed by Governor
Civil Remedies & LiabilitiesEducation--Primary & Secondary--Other School PersonnelEducation--Primary & Secondary--TeachersMinors--Crimes AgainstMinors--Health & SafetyCHILD ABUSESEXUAL MISCONDUCT
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
School claimants face caps and fee rules
A claimant who wins under this law can recover actual damages, capped at $500,000 per claimant. Either side that wins is entitled to court costs and reasonable, necessary lawyer fees—not just the student’s side. These remedies add to other legal remedies; the cap applies to actual damages awarded under this law. These rules cover acts or failures occurring on or after September 1, 2025.
Students gain school misconduct lawsuit rights
The law allows claims against Texas independent school districts and open-enrollment charter schools for acts or failures from September 1, 2025, onward. Schools face liability for gross negligence, recklessness, or intentional misconduct in hiring, supervising, or employing a covered employee. That employee must commit sexual misconduct against an enrolled student or fail to report suspected child abuse or neglect as required. Covered workers include school leaders, contracted teachers, teacher trainees, certified bus drivers, board members, and other employees whose jobs require certification and judgment. The employee must also be named as a defendant. The law removes schools’ governmental immunity for this liability and bars employees from claiming official immunity in these cases.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsors
Harold V. Dutton Jr.
House
Terri Leo Wilson
House
Mitch Little
House
Angela Paxton
Republican • Senate
Cosponsors
Daniel Alders
House
Carol Alvarado
Democratic • Senate
Jeff Barry
House
Keith Bell
House
Paul Bettencourt
Republican • Senate
Greg Bonnen
House
Brad Buckley
House
Benjamin Bumgarner
House
Angie Chen Button
House
Donna Campbell
Republican • Senate
Giovanni Capriglione
House
Creighton
Affiliation unavailable
Mano DeAyala
House
Josey Garcia
House
Stan Gerdes
House
Brent Hagenbuch
Republican • Senate
Bob Hall
Republican • Senate
Hancock
Affiliation unavailable
Sam Harless
House
Cody Harris
House
Cole Hefner
House
Hillary Hickland
House
Adam Hinojosa
Republican • Senate
Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa
Democratic • Senate
Andy Hopper
House
Joan Huffman
Republican • Senate
Bryan Hughes
Republican • Senate
Lacey Hull
House
Todd Hunter
House
Helen Kerwin
House
Phil King
Republican • Senate
Stan Kitzman
House
Lois Kolkhorst
Republican • Senate
Marc LaHood
House
Brooks Landgraf
House
Janie Lopez
House
David Lowe
House
Shelley Luther
House
John McQueeney
House
José Menéndez
Democratic • Senate
Will Metcalf
House
Mayes Middleton
Republican • Senate
Brent Money
House
Tom Oliverson
House
Tan Parker
Republican • Senate
Jared Patterson
House
Charles Perry
Republican • Senate
Katrina Pierson
House
Keresa Richardson
House
Alan Schoolcraft
House
Joanne Shofner
House
Shelby Slawson
House
Kevin Sparks
Republican • Senate
Steve Toth
House
Ellen Troxclair
House
Cody Vasut
House
Denise Villalobos
House
Wes Virdell
House
Terry M. Wilson
House
Judith Zaffirini
Democratic • Senate
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 5/30/2025
Record vote
Yes: 106 • No: 28
Senate vote • 5/27/2025
Record vote
Yes: 0 • No: 0
Senate vote • 5/27/2025
Record vote
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 5/14/2025
Record vote
Yes: 109 • No: 19
House vote • 5/14/2025
Record vote
Yes: 127 • No: 6
House vote • 5/13/2025
Record vote
Yes: 123 • No: 9
House vote • Unknown
Committee vote: Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence
Yes: 6 • No: 3
Senate vote • Unknown
Committee vote: Education K-16
Yes: 11 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Effective on 9/1/25
6/20/2025HouseSigned by the Governor
6/20/2025HouseSent to the Governor
6/2/2025HouseSigned in the Senate
6/1/2025SenateSigned in the House
6/1/2025HouseReported enrolled
5/31/2025HouseHouse concurs in Senate amendment(s)-reported
5/30/2025SenateText of Senate Amendment(s)
5/30/2025HouseStatement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
5/30/2025HouseRecord vote (RV#4061)
5/30/2025HouseHouse concurs in Senate amendment(s)
5/30/2025HouseSenate Amendments Analysis distributed
5/29/2025HouseSenate Amendments distributed
5/29/2025HouseSenate passage as amended reported
5/28/2025HouseRecord vote
5/27/2025SenatePassed
5/27/2025SenateRead 3rd time
5/27/2025SenateRecord vote
5/27/2025SenateThree day rule suspended
5/27/2025SenateVote recorded in Journal
5/27/2025SenatePassed to 3rd reading as amended
5/27/2025SenateVote recorded in Journal
5/27/2025SenateAmended
5/27/2025SenateAmendment(s) offered (FA1 Paxton)
5/27/2025SenateRead 2nd time
5/27/2025Senate
Bill Text
Engrossed
Enrolled
House Committee Report
Introduced
Senate Committee Report
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