Bill > HB7

This bill creates comprehensive changes to reporting misconduct and protecting students in Texas educational settings. The bill establishes an Office of Inspector General at the Texas Education Agency with broad investigative powers, creates new requirements for reporting educator misconduct, and strengthens parental rights in public education. Key provisions include requiring school districts to: report educator misconduct more quickly, provide parents with detailed information about their rights, obtain written consent for psychological tests or recordings of students, post instructional materials online, and notify parents about teacher certification status. The bill also mandates law enforcement agencies notify schools about investigations involving employees and creates a registry of individuals not eligible to work in educational settings. Educators or service providers who engage in certain types of misconduct, such as inappropriate relationships with students, can be temporarily or permanently barred from working in schools. The legislation aims to enhance student safety by creating more transparent and rigorous reporting mechanisms for potential misconduct, while also providing parents with greater access to information about their children's educational environment. The bill will generally take effect for the 2025-2026 school year, with some provisions becoming active immediately if passed by a two-thirds vote in the Texas Legislature.

Education

https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=HB7