Tex. Codes » Education Code · TITLE 2. PUBLIC EDUCATION · SUBTITLE G. SAFE SCHOOLS · CHAPTER 37. DISCIPLINE; LAW AND ORDER
Texas Codes

Tex. Educ. Code § 37.015 (2026)

Reports To Local Law Enforcement; Liability

✓ laws through the 89th Legislature (2025)
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Sec. 37.015. REPORTS TO LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT; LIABILITY. (a) The principal of a public or private primary or secondary school, or a person designated by the principal under Subsection (d), shall notify any school district police department and the police department of the municipality in which the school is located or, if the school is not in a municipality, the sheriff of the county in which the school is located if the principal has reasonable grounds to believe that any of the following activities occur in school, on school property, or at a school-sponsored or school-related activity on or off school property, whether or not the activity is investigated by school security officers:

(1) conduct that may constitute an offense listed under Section 508.149, Government Code;

(2) deadly conduct under Section 22.05, Penal Code;

(3) a terroristic threat under Section 22.07, Penal Code;

(4) the use, sale, or possession of a controlled substance, drug paraphernalia, or marihuana under Chapter 481, Health and Safety Code;

(5) the possession of any of the weapons or devices listed under Sections 46.01(1)-(14) or Section 46.01(16), Penal Code;

(6) conduct that may constitute a criminal offense under Section 71.02, Penal Code; or

(7) conduct that may constitute a criminal offense for which a student may be expelled under Section 37.007(a) or (e).

(b) A person who makes a notification under this section shall include the name and address of each student the person believes may have participated in the activity.

(c) A notification is not required under Subsection (a) if the person reasonably believes that the activity does not constitute a criminal offense.

(d) The principal of a public or private primary or secondary school may designate a school employee who is under the supervision of the principal to make the reports required by this section.

(e) The person who makes the notification required under Subsection (a) shall also notify each instructional or support employee of the school who has regular contact with a student whose conduct is the subject of the notice.

(f) A person is not liable in civil damages for reporting in good faith as required by this section.

Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 260, Sec. 1, eff. May 30, 1995. Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 165, Sec. 12.05, eff. Sept. 1, 1997; Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1055, Sec. 19, eff. June 20, 2003.

Amended by:

Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1066 (H.B. 6), Sec. 15, eff. June 20, 2025.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 7 cases, 2001–2018 · leading case: Jefferson Cnty. v. Jefferson Cnty. Constables Ass'n, 546 S.W.3d 661 (Tex. 2018).
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Jefferson Cnty. v. Jefferson Cnty. Constables Ass'n, 546 S.W.3d 661 (Tex. 2018). “See Tex. Educ. Code § 37.015(a). See id. § 51.”
In re V.P., 55 S.W.3d 25 (Tex. App.—Austin 2001). “See Tex.Educ.Code Ann. § 37.015(a)(5) (West Supp.”
In re VP, 55 S.W.3d 25 (Tex. App.—Austin 2001). “See Tex.Educ.Code Ann. § 37.015(a)(5) (West Supp.”
Jefferson Cnty. v. Jefferson Cnty. Constables Ass'n, No. 16-0498 (Tex. Apr. 13, 2018). “5 See TEX. EDUC. CODE § 37.015(a). 6 See id. § 51.”
Michael D. Van Deelen v. Spring Indep. Sch. Dist., No. 14-17-00432-CV (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] Dec. 20, 2018). “Van Deelen also reported to the District’s police department and many of the same officials and governmental entities that Farinas failed to refer his reports of the alleged drug-related offenses to the District’s police department and the relevant municipal police department as…”
in the Matter of v. P., No. 03-00-00422-CV (Tex. App.—Austin May 31, 2001). “See Tex. Educ. Code Ann. § 37.015 (a)(5) (West Supp.”
in the Matter of v. P., No. 03-00-00422-CV (Tex. App.—Austin May 31, 2001). “See Tex. Educ. Code Ann. § 37.015 (a)(5) (West Supp.”
Tex. Educ. Code § 37.015(a): 2 cases
Jefferson Cnty. v. Jefferson Cnty. Constables Ass'n, 546 S.W.3d 661 (Tex. 2018). “See Tex. Educ. Code § 37.015(a). See id. § 51.”
Jefferson Cnty. v. Jefferson Cnty. Constables Ass'n, No. 16-0498 (Tex. Apr. 13, 2018). “5 See TEX. EDUC. CODE § 37.015(a). 6 See id. § 51.”
Tex. Educ. Code § 37.015(a)(5): 2 cases
In re V.P., 55 S.W.3d 25 (Tex. App.—Austin 2001). “See Tex.Educ.Code Ann. § 37.015(a)(5) (West Supp.”
In re VP, 55 S.W.3d 25 (Tex. App.—Austin 2001). “See Tex.Educ.Code Ann. § 37.015(a)(5) (West Supp.”
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