AUSTIN, Texas — Austin Independent School District is changing how it responds to e-cigarettes on campus.
A new Texas law, House Bill 114, requires public school districts to send students to a District Alternative Learning Education Program (DAEP) if they are caught having, using or selling an e-cigarette on campus or within 300 feet of a school.
In some parts of the state, the law is already having a major impact. KVUE's sister station, WFAA, reported that in the first four months of the law, Dallas ISD and Fort Worth ISD respectively reported 238 and 219 students sent to DAEPs for vaping incidents.
HB 114 doesn't specify how long students must stay in a DAEP.
Austin ISD first informed the community of the new HB 114 requirements in August. But on April 15, the district said its response to e-cigarettes on campuses is changing a bit.
Austin ISD said a new "District of Innovation" exemption will allow the district more flexibility in supporting students found in possession of nicotine. Now, on the first offense, Austin ISD campuses may provide educational resources to students found in possession of nicotine e-cigarettes rather than immediately placing them in an alternative learning environment.
Students with a second offense and subsequent offenses, however, may still be assigned to the Alternative Learning Center.
These updated guidelines only apply to students found in possession of nicotine e-cigarettes and will not apply to the selling or distribution of any e-cigarettes or vaping products.
"The District of Innovation Plan gives traditional public school districts more local control and flexibility to suit their individual needs," Austin ISD said. "We’re continuing to explore our current discipline guidelines and additional educational resources to better support our students."