80th Legislature Legislation Update: Failure To Attend A Parent-Teacher Conference Could Be A Criminal Offense (& More)

As the Legislature prepars to convene again on Wednesday (weather permitting, I’m sure), it’s time to take another look at some of the legislation that’s been filed.

Republican Wayne Smith of Harris County has filed HB 557 which would make it a criminal offense (Class C Misdemeanor) for a parent to miss a parent-teacher conference.  Under the legislation, a parent commits an offense if they receive, by certified mail, notice of dates at which they may schedule a conference and fail to do so or schedule one and miss it without a good excuse.

HB 373 by Scott Hochberg would make the “occasional sale” of less than $3000 of personal goods via online auction exempt state sales tax. This one is particularly interesting to me. I seem to remember when Internet sales of goods was a new thing lawmakers all around the nation were in a panic because of how much sales tax revenue would be lost. Alas, how times have changed!

SB 221 by Lucio would allow the state to provide uncertified copies of original birth certificates to individuals who were adopted (and had supplemental birth certificates issued) on the 18th anniversary of the adption unless birth parents have filed a request that the same not be released until after their death.

SB 219 by Deuell would make it illegal to promote certain live musical performances through use of “false, deceptive, or misleading affiliation, connection, or association between a
a recording group and a performing musical group.”

HB 579 by Deshotel would require residential property insurance to cover loss incurred as a result of complying with an evacuation order (which seems to mean, if you had to leave due to an order before securing your property and a storm strikes, you aren’t held liable for failing to board windows, etc.) It also requires coverage to “provide a
payment for each day or part of a day that the evacuation order is in effect.”

HB 572 By Gonzales relates to school bullying and would require that, “each school district shall report annually to the agency information regarding each incident of bullying that occurred during the preceding school year in the district on school property, in a school vehicle, or at a school-sponsored or school-related activity, including at a school bus stop.”

HB 574 by McClendon would create a patient’s bill of rights with regard to pain management.