Sec. 37.144. GRADUATED SANCTIONS FOR CERTAIN SCHOOL OFFENSES. (a) A school district that commissions peace officers under Section 37.081 may develop a system of graduated sanctions that the school district may require to be imposed on a child before a complaint is filed under Section 37.145 against the child for a school offense that is an offense under Section 37.124 or 37.126 or under Section 42.01(a)(1), (2), (3), (4), or (5), Penal Code. A system adopted under this section must include multiple graduated sanctions. The system may require:

(1) a warning letter to be issued to the child and the child's parent or guardian that specifically states the child's alleged school offense and explains the consequences if the child engages in additional misconduct;

(2) a behavior contract with the child that must be signed by the child, the child's parent or guardian, and an employee of the school and that includes a specific description of the behavior that is required or prohibited for the child and the penalties for additional alleged school offenses, including additional disciplinary action or the filing of a complaint in a criminal court;

(3) the performance of school-based community service by the child; and

(4) the referral of the child to counseling, community-based services, or other in-school or out-of-school services aimed at addressing the child's behavioral problems.

(b) A referral made under Subsection (a)(4) may include participation by the child's parent or guardian if necessary.

Added by Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1407 (S.B. 393), Sec. 12, eff. September 1, 2013.