Bill > HB4206

This bill creates the Office of Inspector General for Education within the Texas Education Agency to provide independent oversight and investigation of misconduct in educational institutions. The inspector general will be appointed by the board with specific qualification requirements, including expertise in areas such as law, fraud investigation, and government operations. The office will have broad powers to investigate complaints and allegations of fraud, waste, abuse, employee misconduct, and actions that threaten student safety. Key responsibilities include conducting investigations, maintaining a confidential database of complaints, issuing subpoenas, and referring substantiated findings to appropriate authorities. The bill establishes strict reporting requirements for school administrators when they become aware of potential employee misconduct, mandating notification to the Office of Inspector General within 24 hours and to the State Board for Educator Certification within two business days. It also introduces new protections against retaliation for reporting misconduct and creates criminal penalties for interfering with investigations. The bill increases administrative penalties for educators and administrators who fail to report misconduct and provides mechanisms for notifying parents about potential employee misconduct. Importantly, the Office of Inspector General will have significant independence, operating separately from the Texas Education Agency and with robust investigative and reporting powers to ensure accountability in the education system.

Education

https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=HB4206