Texas Senate Bill SB1671

Texas 2011 - 82nd Regular

• Out of Senate Committee: 5/3/11
• Introduced: 3/11/11
• Voted on by Senate: 5/10/11
• Refer: 3/23/11
• Out of House Committee: 5/19/11
• Report Pass: 5/3/11
• Engrossed: 5/10/11
• Refer: 5/11/11
• Report Pass: 5/17/11

Caption

Relating to the Teacher Retirement System of Texas.

Impact

The bill aims to provide a clearer regulatory framework regarding the handling of criminal history information. By allowing the Teacher Retirement System to access this information directly from law enforcement agencies, it aims to ensure that only qualified individuals are engaged with the educational institutions governed by the retirement system. This change is expected to bolster the safety and integrity of the educational workforce in Texas, which may ultimately benefit students and communities.

Summary

SB1671 relates to the Teacher Retirement System of Texas and addresses amendments concerning the disclosure of criminal history records related to employees, applicants, and consultants within the retirement system. Specifically, it enumerates the entities authorized to receive such criminal history information, enhancing the process by which the Teacher Retirement System can assess the suitability of individuals associated with the system.

Contention

There may be concern among privacy advocates regarding the access and potential misuse of criminal history information. It raises questions about the balance between ensuring a safe educational environment and maintaining individual privacy rights. Discussions around these issues could lead to debate about the limits of information access and the procedures involved in handling sensitive data, which could be a point of contention as the bill progresses through the legislative process.