HB 5381

relating to protections for certain military dependents enrolled in
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1.  This Act may be cited as "Rocky's Law".
SECTION 2.  Subchapter Z, Chapter 25, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 25.906 to read as follows:
Sec. 25.906.  PROTECTIONS FOR CERTAIN MILITARY DEPENDENTS.
(1)  "Compact" means the Interstate Compact on
Educational Opportunity for Military Children executed under
(2)  "Uniformed services" means:
(A)  the United States Army, Navy, Air Force,
Space Force, Marine Corps, National Guard and Reserves, or Coast
(B)  the Commissioned Corps of the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; or
(C)  the Commissioned Corps of the United States
(b)  The provisions of Articles IV, V, VI, and VII of the
Compact apply to the following children as if those children were
children described by Article III of the Compact:
(1)  a child of a veteran of the uniformed services who
was discharged or released through retirement, for a period of four
years after the date of the veteran's retirement, if the veteran
returns to the veteran's home of record on military orders; and
(2)  a child of a member of the uniformed services who
dies on active duty or as a result of injuries sustained on active
duty, for a period of four years after the member's death.
(c)  Each school district and open-enrollment charter school
that maintains an Internet website shall post on the district's or
school's Internet website an easily accessible link to information
regarding the Compact and the additional protections provided by
this section.  This tab should be simply labeled "MIC3" under the
district's or school's main menu.
(d)  The Texas Education Agency's Compact Council shall
include a current or former Department of Defense Education
(e)  No personnel with criminal arrest records involving
assault upon family, unrelated individuals or minors can work at
any school that serves military-connected students.
SECTION 3.  This Act applies beginning with the 2025-2026
SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2025.