Action Alert

Testify Against HB 6

Testify In Person
Go to the Texas Capitol. Read "How to Testify" (info is linked below) as you must register when you arrive. Do so at least an hour before, and do this on the day of the hearing. The HB 6 hearing is Thursday, May 8.

Written Testimony: 
There’s no limit on the length of written testimonies.

Oral Testimony: 
We encourage you to write out your testimony before the hearing! Testimonies read out loud should be two-minutes to be read to the committee during the hearing. However, written testimonies do not have any page or word limit. To get an idea of what to write about, please see these testimony guides: 

• Writing legislative testimony tips
• How to Testify before the Texas Legislature

For in-person, individuals can write out and read their testimonies. If you are providing a written testimony, please bring 15 copies for the members and their staff.

Please go here to watch the livestream of the Texas Senate starting at 9:00 a.m. on 05/08/2025. 

Talking Points 

• The bill’s broad language makes it easier to suspend or remove students, especially younger children, for vague or minor disruptions. This risks pushing the most vulnerable students-such as those with disabilities or behavioral challenges out of the classroom instead of supporting them.
• Historically, exclusionary discipline policies have disproportionately impacted students of color, students with disabilities, and those from low-income backgrounds. This bill risks worsening those inequities
• Instead of investing in counselors, mental health resources, or positive behavioral supports, the bill focuses on exclusion and punishment, which research shows does not improve school safety or student outcomes. 
• By expanding grounds for in-school and out-of-school suspensions and allowing indefinite in-school suspensions, the bill doubles down on punitive practices that have not worked in the past and are linked to higher dropout rates. 
• The bill rolls back reforms from 2017 that protected pre-K through second grade students from suspension for non-violent behavior, allowing even very young children to be removed from school for being disruptive
• The bill allows districts to place disciplined students in virtual disciplinary programs, where engagement and support are minimal, yet districts still receive full funding. This could incentivize schools to exclude rather than help struggling students