Texas school districts must now provide at least one uniformed peace officer for every 1,000 attendees at athletic events and other school activities expected to draw more than 1,000 people under new state rules.
The Texas Education Agency told school administrators the requirements took effect Wednesday.
Districts also must assign an appropriate number of officers to rivalry games and other events with a known risk of violence or confrontation, even if attendance is expected to be below 1,000.
The requirements stem from House Bill 121, approved by the Texas Legislature in 2025, according to the TEA.
The rules also require school districts to maintain a written security and medical plan for each event venue expected to host more than 250 people. Districts do not need to create a new plan for every game played at the same stadium.
The new requirements apply to school-sponsored or school-sanctioned activities held on property owned, leased or controlled by a school district. They cover football and other athletic events, as well as large gatherings such as prom and graduation.
The host school district is responsible for event security, regardless of which schools are participating. The TEA also said visiting teams should be familiar with the host site’s emergency and medical plans.
The agency said those plans should address severe weather, evacuations, crowd control, emergency communications, medical response and incident command during emergencies.
While districts are encouraged to consider armed security at events expected to draw more than 250 people, the rules do not require armed personnel at every event above that threshold.
Additional requirements apply to athletic games and practices of all sizes. Automated external defibrillators must be available and accessible, certain coaches and staff must complete CPR and AED training, and districts must coordinate emergency response plans with local first responders.