1. (a) In this section, "instructional facility" has the meaning assigned by Section 46.001.

2. (b) The commissioner shall adopt or amend rules as necessary to ensure that facilities standards for new and existing instructional facilities and other school district and open-enrollment charter school facilities, including construction quality, performance, operational, and other standards related to the safety and security of school facilities, provide a secure and safe environment. In adopting or amending rules under this section, the commissioner shall include the use of best practices for:

   1. (1) the design and construction of new facilities; and
   2. (2) the improvement, renovation, and retrofitting of existing facilities.
3. (c) Not later than September 1 of each even-numbered year, the commissioner shall review all rules adopted or amended under this section and amend the rules as necessary to ensure that facilities standards for school district and open-enrollment charter school facilities continue to provide a secure and safe environment. The commissioner shall, in consultation with the Texas School Safety Center, identify and adopt any changes recommended under Section 37.221.

Added by Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 464 (S.B. 11), Sec. 1, eff. June 6, 2019.

Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 896 (H.B. 3), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2023.