Texas School Door Security Requirements
Texas districts must inspect every exterior door at instructional facilities at least weekly during school hours and certify that each door is closed, latched, and locked. The governing rule changes on September 1, 2026, but the weekly duty does not.
THE REQUIREMENT
The Rule Number Changes. The Weekly Inspection Does Not.
Districts must conduct at least weekly inspections during school hours of all exterior doors at instructional facilities and certify that the doors are closed, latched, and locked. A door may be unlocked if it is actively monitored or located within an exterior secured area.
The current rule, 19 TAC 61.1031, governs through August 31, 2026. It was repealed and replaced by 19 TAC 103.1215, effective September 1, 2026. The new rule carries the weekly inspection duty forward unchanged.
The statutory basis is TEC 37.115 through 37.1087 via HB 3 and SB 838 of 2023 and HB 33 and HB 121 of 2025. HB 33 and HB 121 were incorporated into the new rule.
Which Texas Rule Applies?
The applicable citation depends on the date. Both rules preserve the same weekly exterior-door inspection duty.
| Date range | Citation | Weekly duty |
|---|---|---|
| Through August 31, 2026 | 19 TAC 61.1031 | At least weekly during school hours |
| From September 1, 2026 | 19 TAC 103.1215 | At least weekly during school hours, unchanged |
Enforcement and Consequences
The Texas School Safety Center conducts random, unannounced intruder detection audits of exterior doors, and the Texas Education Agency monitors compliance.
Districts must certify security reviews in the Sentinel system beginning August 1, 2026.
No fines are specified. Noncompliance can lead to corrective action plans, enhanced monitoring plans, and appointment of a conservator.
Monitoring Is an Alternative Path
Texas does not mandate monitoring hardware. A door may be unlocked if it is actively monitored or located within an exterior secured area.
The required human inspection stays in place. Positive Proof sensor-verified door events can attach continuous, time-stamped evidence to the inspection record and cover the hours between inspections.
Learn about door monitoring, or return to the school door security guide
If a Texas school safety review has already produced a finding, the Texas intruder detection audit guide covers the corrective action process and the 60-day response window.