Bill Text: TX HB1551 | 2025-2026 | 89th Legislature | Introduced
Bill Title: Relating to the notification of parents of students enrolled in public school regarding certain alleged criminal conduct by an employee.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Introduced) 2024-12-09 - Filed [HB1551 Detail]
Download: Texas-2025-HB1551-Introduced.html
By: Hickland | H.B. No. 1551 |
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relating to the notification of parents of students enrolled in | ||
public school regarding certain alleged criminal conduct by an | ||
employee. | ||
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: | ||
SECTION 1. Subchapter C, Chapter 22, Education Code, is | ||
amended by adding Section 22.088 to read as follows: | ||
Sec. 22.088. NOTICE TO PARENTS REGARDING CERTAIN EMPLOYEE | ||
CRIMINAL CONDUCT. (a) Not later than the second school day after a | ||
school district or open-enrollment charter school becomes aware | ||
that an employee of the district or school has been charged with an | ||
offense described by Article 42.018, Code of Criminal Procedure, | ||
the district or school shall notify the parent or guardian of each | ||
student enrolled at the campus at which the employee is employed of | ||
the charged offense. The notice must include: | ||
(1) the employee's name and position; | ||
(2) whether the employee continues to be employed at | ||
the district or school; | ||
(3) the length of the employee's employment with the | ||
district or school; | ||
(4) the offense for which the employee is being | ||
charged; and | ||
(5) a statement that, under state and federal law, a | ||
person is presumed innocent until proven guilty. | ||
(b) A school district or open-enrollment charter school may | ||
include in the notice under Subsection (a) additional information | ||
regarding underlying facts or circumstances relating to the charged | ||
offense but may not disclose the identity of the alleged victim. | ||
(c) The commissioner by rule shall establish guidelines for | ||
providing notice under Subsection (a) during a period in which the | ||
school district or open-enrollment charter school is closed. | ||
SECTION 2. This Act applies beginning with the 2025-2026 | ||
school year. | ||
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives | ||
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as | ||
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this | ||
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this | ||
Act takes effect September 1, 2025. |