Austin, TX – Senator Paul Bettencourt (R-Houston) and Senator Royce West (D-Dallas), the two longest- serving members of the Senate Education Committee, passed Committee Substitute House Bill 681, by Representative Keith Bell (R-Forney), out of the Texas Senate on a bipartisan vote, 27-4. HB 681 was swapped out for Senator Bettencourt & West’s SB 1861. SB 1861 is based on the bipartisan unanimous recommendations of the Texas Commission on Virtual Education. Senator Bettencourt and Senator West served on the Commission, which was chaired by Governor Abbott appointee, Rex Gore, during the 87th Interim.

“Virtual education is blasting past the COVID years and into the 21st century!” Remarked Senator Bettencourt, Sponsor of HB 681. “HB 681 passed out of the Texas Senate 27-4 with bipartisan support and gives flexible high-quality virtual education options to families, students, and school systems across Texas,” he added.

The Texas Commission on Virtual Education was created after the 87th Legislature (Regular Session, 2021) to make recommendations regarding the delivery of virtual education in the public school system and state funding for virtual education under the Foundation School Program. The Commission determined that virtual learning is a powerful tool for meeting the individualized education needs of Texas students. Co-Sponsor and senior member of the Texas Senate Committee on Education, Senator Royce West, commented on the passage of HB 681, authored by Representative Keith Bell.

“Today is a day to celebrate, as SB 681 passed opening up virtual, educational opportunities for Texas students thus giving them access to high-quality virtual school options ensuring families can choose the best modality for their student to ensure their ability to choose needed courses and learning continuity,” said SB 681 co-sponsor, Senator Royce West.

HB 681’s will increase access to high-quality, virtual education options to give families the freedom to choose the best modality for their child, ensure access to advanced courses where they are currently unavailable, and offer flexible learning models that promote work-based learning. HB 681 added three amendments that were not on SB 1861. The first amendment ensures a virtual student participating in UIL activities are required to participate in their designated district. The second amendment ensures students enrolled in virtual schools or courses don’t count towards a district’s average daily attendance. Finally, the third amendment allows programs already operating during the 2022-2023 school year to continue without going through the same approval process as a new provider.

“As a lifelong student and advocate of Public Education, I was determined to build on the success of SB 15 from the 87th 2nd Special Session in 2021, a bill I proudly authored, by authoring HB 681 this session. Access to virtual learning has proven to be a success as it provides families with flexibility in education options and provides children with additional pathways for success. It was imperative that we continued to build on a program that works for Texas students and families,” concluded Representative Keith Bell.

HB 681 will head back to the Texas House of Representatives to House Author Rep. Bell for concurrence before being sent to Governor Abbott for his signature review.

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