TX HB4561

School districts are prohibited from granting excused absences for students to participate in political protests, social or public policy advocacy, or attempts to influence legislation at any government level

Educators are barred during working hours from promoting, organizing, facilitating, or directing student political activities, and cannot issue excused absences for such purposes

Educator violations result in escalating penalties: first offense receives a reprimand on certification record, second offense triggers minimum one-year certification suspension, third offense results in permanent certification cancellation

School districts face Foundation School Program funding reductions of 5% for two violations and 10% for three violations within a 365-day period; superintendents who fail to report violations face 2.5% funding reduction

School employees must report violations to superintendents and the Texas Education Agency within 48 hours, and TEA must publish alleged violations on a public website within 10 days; applies beginning with the 2025-2026 school year