# House Passes HB 6 to Address Classroom Disruptions | Texas Political Spotlight | USLege > Texas lawmakers are at the center of major legislative battles as HB 6 passes in the House, which would expand school suspension authority to address… Canonical: https://www.uslege.ai/news/texas-political-spotlight-house-passes-hb-6-to-address-classroom-disruptions --- [News](/news)/[The Political Spotlight](/newsletters) Newsletter # House Passes HB 6 to Address Classroom Disruptions | Texas Political Spotlight House Passes HB 6 to Address Classroom Disruptions Texas Political Spotlight April 16, 2025 This is the archive excerpt. The complete issue, with every story in full, lives on The Political Spotlight. [Read the full issue](https://uslege.beehiiv.com/p/texas-political-spotlight-0e8072d6a3f5fb84) [Subscribe free](https://uslege.beehiiv.com/) **Welcome back, friends** Texas lawmakers are at the center of major legislative battles as [HB 6](https://app.uslege.ai/bil%E2%80%A6) passes in the House, which would expand school suspension authority to address classroom disruptions. At the same time, Senator Mayes Middleton has entered the race for Attorney General, adding further competition in the state’s political landscape. ## Today’s Insights: - House Passes HB 6 to Address Classroom Disruptions - Middleton Announces Bid For Attorney General ### House Passes HB 6 to Address Classroom Disruptions [HB 6](https://app.uslege.ai/bills/847397?utm_source=www.txlege.news&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=texas-political-spotlight&_bhlid=176690733f2078a3b8da7362c03fa7bc8d17e436), seeks to expand the authority of schools to suspend students for classroom disruptions. If this bill get signed into law, it would allow schools to issue out-of-school suspensions to students who engage in repeated disruptions or pose a threat to the health and safety of others. This would apply to students from pre-kindergarten through high school, reversing previous laws that restricted suspensions for younger students and homeless students unless they committed serious measures such as violence or drug-related actions. The bill, authored by Representative Jeff Leach, aims to address increasing concerns about classroom management and the teacher shortage in Texas. [Many teachers and administrators have cited classroom disruptions](https://www.texastribune.org/2025/03/18/texas-schools-student-discipline-teacher-rights/?utm_source=www.txlege.news&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=texas-political-spotlight&_bhlid=0236e5a096a825a3feb7e70981eb9e5406271eee) as a significant challenge, with incidents of violence and misconduct becoming more frequent since the COVID-19 pandemic. > Rep. [@leachfortexas](https://twitter.com/leachfortexas?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) is laying out HB 6 on the House floor. The bill would overhaul public school discipline policies. > > “The mission of the bill is about protecting… safeguarding and elevating the rights of educators,” Leach says. [#txlege](https://twitter.com/hashtag/txlege?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) [pic.twitter.com/PKWqrQvfRE](https://t.co/PKWqrQvfRE) > > — Hannah Norton (@HannahNorton89) [April 15, 2025](https://twitter.com/HannahNorton89/status/1912239871122420029?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) ‍ The bill passed in the house on Tuesday evening, receiving a vote of 121-21. Supporters of the bill argued that it would provide schools with the flexibility needed to manage escalating disruptions and foster a safer, more focused learning environment. However, concerns were raised about the bill’s vague definition of “repeated or significant disruptions,” which critics argued could lead to inconsistent disciplinary practices and potentially exacerbate disparities in how students, particularly students of color, are treated. _“To our educators, our teachers, our principals, our counselors, our coaches, our nurses - we know how much you love and care for our kids, and we have heard you. This is the teacher's bill of rights, and this is for you._ _\- Representative Jeff Leach_ ## Middleton Announces Bid For Attorney General Senator Mayes Middleton has announced he will run for Texas Attorney General. Middleton, 43, is the second Republican candidate to enter the race, following former U.S. Attorney John Bash, [who declared his candidacy the previous week](https://x.com/JohnBashTX/status/1910084039366615296?utm_source=www.txlege.news&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=texas-political-spotlight&_bhlid=b81d98a5430bb958b839260bae846e1224b3985f). The upcoming election marks the first open race for Attorney General since Paxton’s election in 2014. Middleton holds a law degree from the University of Texas and operates his own business, [Middleton Oil Co](https://middletonoilco.com/?utm_source=www.txlege.news&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=texas-political-spotlight&_bhlid=be6f89bf7778d3cd0ca1e78fc226ff501098cef0). Senator Middleton has already committed to spending at least $10 million on his campaign, potentially more as the race unfolds. > I’m proud to announce my campaign for Texas Attorney General. There’s only one Texas, and I’ve devoted my life to defending it. As your next Attorney General, I will work to ensure Texas is the greatest and safest state to live and raise a family. [pic.twitter.com/g6Q4GSx4or](https://t.co/g6Q4GSx4or) > > — Mayes Middleton (@mayes\_middleton) [April 15, 2025](https://twitter.com/mayes_middleton/status/1912194834703466712?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) ‍ Middleton’s political career began in 2018 when he was elected to the Texas House with [significant funds](https://www.followthemoney.org/entity-details?eid=11348035&default=candidate&utm_source=www.txlege.news&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=texas-political-spotlight&_bhlid=fc37bb2840ca999972fa60737d2de2d2e9bbcfc1), including nearly $2 million of his own money. He successfully unseated incumbent Republican [Wayne Faircloth](https://ballotpedia.org/Wayne_Faircloth?utm_source=www.txlege.news&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=texas-political-spotlight&_bhlid=83474043a6e7eee416662a6a8e0e420ef975e0fe) in a primary, and after two terms in the House, he won an open Senate seat for a district southeast of Houston. Middleton’s decision to run for attorney general would open his Senate seat, which is also on the ballot in 2026. However, he does not have to resign to run for statewide office. We hope you enjoyed today’s read! Stay connected with TXLege News on [X](https://x.com/TXLege_?utm_source=www.txlege.news&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=texas-political-spotlight&_bhlid=ec055fdcee6c2b114a19ce72719c49d56bf23268) and [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/txlege/?utm_source=www.txlege.news&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=texas-political-spotlight&_bhlid=d306b9abb7e16a120af0ebcac6e1a2500631f35f)! > 🎙️ Watch our latest Bills & Business Episode with Craig Casselberry – On Education, Infrastructure, and Skills Development in Texas > > Join us on Bills & Business for a compelling conversation with Craig Casselberry, Founder and CEO of Quorum Public Affairs, as he sits down with… [pic.twitter.com/dh55l7YOxa](https://t.co/dh55l7YOxa) > > — USLege (@USLege\_ai) [April 14, 2025](https://twitter.com/USLege_ai/status/1911879460229693446?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) Read the complete issue The Political Spotlight is free and weekly. Get the next one in your inbox. 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