1. United States
2. Texas
3. Letter

I strongly oppose House Bill 6 in its current form. As a concerned parent in Leander, Texas, I believe the bill could lead to unnecessary expulsions of young children, particularly those with disabilities, due to vague language in its discipline provisions. Section 1., (c), (3) allows expulsion for "repeated or significant disruption" but lacks clear definitions, potentially putting children as young as 5-8 years old at risk and ignoring possible underlying disabilities. This could also violate the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), as behavioral issues at these ages often signal a need for support, not expulsion. I am also concerned about the removal of section 37.001 (b-1) and the impact of Sec. 37.1151 on IDEA and Manifestation Determination Reviews (MDR). The key to improving school safety is addressing funding, not imposing undefined expulsions. Texas ranks 43rd in per-student funding, and the $1.7 billion shortfall in special education needs urgent attention. Without proper funding, schools lack resources to support students who need help. I urge you to reconsider HB6's provisions, focus on providing support for all students, and prioritize funding Public Education. Thank you for your time and consideration.