New school vaping laws
Texas lawmakers passed a new law that requires school districts to enforce stricter disciplinary actions on students caught with vaping devices. Texas House Bill 114 requires any student caught with a THC or nicotine vape be placed into a disciplinary alternative education program (DAEP). The law went into effect Friday, September 1.
Industrial ISD Super Intendent, Clark Motley, believes it shows the government has recognized a problem all schools are facing. “I feel like the law was changed becuase it is an increasing problem schools are having to face. We’ve added vape detectors in the bathroom in order to help us enforce it the best we can,” Motley said.
No guidance was given for the duration students should be placed in DAEP but Motley believes IISD already had a “pretty lengthy policy for vaping.” No minimal punishment length was given but according to IISD’s Student Code of Conduct, “The duration of a student’s placement shall be determined case by case based on the seriousness of the offense, the student’s age and grade level, the frequency of misconduct, the student’s attitude, and statutory requirements.”
Ganado ISD has also put together a discipline policy that reflects what the new law has established and says they will enforce it equally within the district. Ganado High School Principal, Bryan Martin, hopes the new law will “deter some of the issues that schools are dealing with across the state.”
Martin has communicated the expectations and consequences to the students and parents so they are aware the school district is enforcing these rules. He stated the district also has hopes of starting a program to assist students with possible nicotine addictions.
“We are looking at putting together a program for our students to use that will help them understand the harm they are doing to their bodies and to hopefully push them in the right direction to make good choices for their health,” Martin stated.
Edna ISD has also informed its students and parents of the law via Facebook and X (formerly Twitter). Madalyn Maresh, Assistant Superintendent, added the district “emailed Edna High School students directly on their school email accounts.”
Edna ISD consequences show a student’s first offense will include five days of placement in DAEP. Maresh said, “Subsequent offenses will result in additional days added based on the total number of offenses.”
Students and parents alike should be aware that the law specifies the policy does not only apply to students in class but at all school-sponsored events.