According to Ksat on August 10, Texas (hereinafter referred to as “Texas”) has passed House Bill 114, which aims to combat the problem of electronic cigarettes in public schools. The bill, which came into effect on September 1, will introduce stricter disciplinary measures against students using e-cigarettes on campus.
Charlie Carnes, Chief of police at Northside ISD, Texas, said:
“E-cigarettes, nicotine substances and THC are growing at an alarming rate.”
Kearns noted that the number of e-cigarette cases on Northern Independent School District campuses has increased dramatically in the past two years, from about 40 cases per month to more than 200 per month.
At the end of last semester, there were 300 cases in the district’s school district in May alone. Case data from the two other largest school districts in the region have also been requested.
Northeast Independent School District (North East ISD) reported 666 THC (marijuana component) and 633 nicotine-related cases last school year, for a total of 1,299.
The bill requires students to be removed from class and placed in the Disciplinary Alternative Education Program (DAEP) if they meet certain conditions, including committing certain acts within 300 feet of a school campus.
The Act covers any activity hosted by or associated with schools, both inside and outside schools, including students caught trafficking in or under the influence of these substances.
References:
[1] New state law to crack down on vaping at Texas public schools