HB 5381 Texas House · 89th Legislature (2025)

Relating to the interstate compact on educational opportunity for military children and other protections for certain military dependents enrolled in a public school.

HB 5381, titled "Rocky's Law," extends educational protections under the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children to two specific groups: (1) children of veterans who retired and return to their home of record (for four years after retirement), and (2) children of service members who died on duty (for four years after death). The bill requires all public school districts and charter schools to post a clear "MIC3" link on their websites providing information about these protections. It also mandates that schools comply with existing employment rules for personnel not eligible for public school jobs. These changes ensure military-connected students receive consistent educational support during transitional periods.
Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Apr 2025
Committee Review
May 2025
House Passage
May 2025
Senate Passage
Governor
Introduced Apr 7, 2025 Last action May 28, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced Engrossed · 5 edits · May 15, 2025
MODERATE
This bill was significantly restructured from an introduced version to an engrossed version, with major additions of new sections and modifications to existing sections. The engrossed version adds new provisions about school district compliance with employment restrictions for military-connected students and expands the State Advisory Council composition. Several sections were removed and replaced with more detailed language.
Scope change
The bill's scope expanded to include new requirements for school districts regarding employment compliance and the composition of the State Advisory Council, while the effective date and immediate effect provisions remain unchanged.
REQUIREMENT

Added new requirement that school districts enrolling military-connected children must comply with employment restrictions under Chapters 21 and 22 of the Education Code.

Added new section expanding the State Advisory Council to include eight members, including representatives from other offices and stakeholder groups.

DEFINITION

Modified the definition of 'active duty' to clarify it includes National Guard and Reserve members on active duty orders pursuant to specific U.S. Code sections.

TECHNICAL

Removed the requirement that school websites post links labeled 'MIC3' and replaced it with more detailed language about posting links on the home page.

Added header information identifying this as the engrossed version with updated bill number formatting.

Floor votes · House May 15, 2025

How they voted

1371
Passed · 5 other
Total votes 143
May 15, 2025
D Democratic59
54 Yea 1 Nay 4
91% Yea
R Republican84
83 Yea 1
98% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
34
Key actions
11
Committee
11
May 27, 2025
Upper · Passed
Committee report printed and distributed
upper
May 27, 2025
Upper · Passed
Reported favorably w/o amendments
upper
May 27, 2025
Upper · Passed
Vote taken in committee
upper
May 27, 2025
Upper · Passed
Testimony taken in committee
upper
May 16, 2025
Committee
Referred to Education K-16
upper
May 16, 2025
Introduced
Read first time
upper
May 15, 2025
Introduced
Received from the House
upper
May 15, 2025
Lower · Passed
Passed
lower
May 14, 2025
Lower · Passed
Passed to engrossment
lower
May 7, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee report sent to Calendars
lower
May 6, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee report distributed
lower
Apr 30, 2025
Lower · Passed
Reported favorably as substituted
lower
Apr 22, 2025
Lower · Passed
Left pending in committee
lower
Apr 22, 2025
Lower · Passed
Testimony taken/registration(s) recorded in committee
lower
Apr 7, 2025
Committee
Referred to Public Education
lower
Apr 7, 2025
Introduced
Read first time
lower
5 primary · 3 co-sponsors

Sponsors