Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Texas House Bill HB2378

Filed

2/4/25

Out of House Committee

Voted on by House

Out of Senate Committee

Voted on by Senate

Governor Action

Bill Becomes Law

Caption

Relating to certain misconduct committed by an employee or security personnel of a public school or certain other educational entities, including the criminal offense of improper relationship with a student.

Impact

The legislation enforces mandatory reporting protocols for school administrators if an employee is suspected of misconduct. This includes immediate action in terminating contracts or employment for individuals found on a registry of persons not eligible to work in schools due to prior offenses. The bill is anticipated to impact school administration practices significantly and reshape how schools respond to allegations against staff, potentially leading to increased scrutiny and compliance requirements.

Summary

House Bill 2378 aims to amend the Education Code by establishing stricter protocols regarding misconduct committed by employees and security personnel of public schools and related educational entities. Specifically, the bill addresses offenses such as improper relationships with students, which it defines as engaging in any sexual conduct with individuals enrolled in such institutions. The intent of the bill is to enhance student safety and accountability among educational staff, thereby fulfilling an essential need in maintaining safe learning environments.

Contention

Notably, the bill has sparked discussions around privacy and due process for educators accused of misconduct. While proponents argue that the legislation is essential for protecting students and ensuring safe educational environments, critics raise concerns regarding the potential for wrongful accusations and the implications for educators' careers. As the bill clarifies reporting requirements and creates mechanisms for greater transparency in handling cases of misconduct, it may require a delicate balance between safeguarding students and protecting the rights of employees in the educational sector.

Texas Constitutional Statutes Affected

Education Code

Chapter 12. Charters
- Section: 0271
- Section: 0631
- Section: 1151

Chapter 22. School District Employees And Volunteers
- Section: New Section

Chapter 21. Educators
- Section: New Section

Chapter 33. Service Programs And Extracurricular Activities
- Section: 913

Government Code

Chapter 824. Benefits
- Section: 009

Health And Safety Code

Chapter 250. Nurse Aide Registry And Criminal History Checks Of Employees And Applicants For Employment In Certain Facilities Serving The Elderly, Persons With Disabilities, Or Persons With Terminal Illnesses
- Section: New Section

Code Of Criminal Procedure

Chapter 2. General Duties Of Officers
- Section: New Section

Penal Code

Chapter 21. Sexual Offenses
- Section: 12

Latest TX HB2378 Activity

View All Events: TX 2025 - 89th Regular HB2378

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

TX HB4978

Relating to reports of certain misconduct committed by an employee of a public school, regional education service center, or shared services arrangement and a study by the Texas Education Agency regarding employee misconduct reporting mechanisms.

TX HB122

Relating to reports of certain misconduct engaged in by an employee of a public school, regional education service center, or shared services arrangement and a study by the Texas Education Agency regarding employee misconduct reporting mechanisms.

TX SB1849

Relating to an interagency reportable conduct search engine, standards for a person's removal from the employee misconduct registry and eligibility for certification as certain Texas Juvenile Justice Department officers and employees, and the use of certain information by certain state agencies to conduct background checks.

TX HB2721

Relating to accelerated and supplemental instruction provided to public school students who fail to achieve satisfactory performance on certain assessment instruments and access to criminal history record information for certain tutors providing that instruction.

TX SB11

Relating to measures for ensuring safety and security in public schools, including measures related to the health and safety of public school students and active shooter training for certain peace officers.

TX HB4979

Relating to measures for ensuring safety and security in public schools, including measures related to certain student records and conduct.

TX HB3198

Relating to criminal history record information and certain registry information accessible to certain educational and child-care entities and information required for employment in certain child-care facilities.

TX SB1473

TX HB1

Relating to primary and secondary education, including the certification, compensation, and health coverage of certain public school employees, the public school finance system, special education in public schools, the establishment of an education savings account program, measures to support the education of public school students that include certain educational grant programs, reading instruction, and early childhood education, the provision of virtual education, and public school accountability.

TX SB1754

Relating to certain restrictions on the use of personally identifiable information pertaining to a public school student by an operator or educational entity.