BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 1222 84R1719 MK-D By: Bettencourt Education 3/18/2015 As Filed
BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center S.B. 1222
84R1719 MK-D By: Bettencourt
Education
3/18/2015
As Filed
Senate Research Center
S.B. 1222
84R1719 MK-D
By: Bettencourt
Education
3/18/2015
As Filed
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT Currently, the Texas Education Agency (TEA) has subpoena power over testing irregularities. TEA, however, does not have subpoena power for educator records. A recent report (February 2015) by the Sunset Advisory Commission stated that school administrators often refuse to provide documents to TEA necessary for the investigation of educator misconduct. S.B. 1222 provides administrative subpoena power for the production of records, papers, and other objects related to a certified educator misconduct investigation. As proposed, S.B. 1222 amends current law relating to the authority of the commissioner of education to issue subpoenas during an investigation of educator misconduct. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter B, Chapter 21, Education Code, by adding Section 21.062, as follows: Sec. 21.062. ISSUANCE OF SUBPOENAS. (a) Authorizes the commissioner of education (commissioner), during an investigation by the commissioner of an educator for an alleged incident of misconduct, to issue a subpoena to compel the production, for inspection or copying, of relevant evidence that is located in this state. (b) Authorizes a subpoena to be served personally or by certified mail. (c) Authorizes the commissioner, acting through the attorney general, if a person fails to comply with a subpoena, to file suit to enforce the subpoena in a district court in this state. Requires the court, on finding that good cause exists for issuing the subpoena, to order the person to comply with the subpoena. Authorizes the court to punish a person who fails to obey the court order. (d) Provides that all information and materials subpoenaed or compiled in connection with an investigation described by Subsection (a) are confidential and not subject to disclosure under Chapter 552 (Public Information), Government Code. SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2015.
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Currently, the Texas Education Agency (TEA) has subpoena power over testing irregularities. TEA, however, does not have subpoena power for educator records. A recent report (February 2015) by the Sunset Advisory Commission stated that school administrators often refuse to provide documents to TEA necessary for the investigation of educator misconduct. S.B. 1222 provides administrative subpoena power for the production of records, papers, and other objects related to a certified educator misconduct investigation.
As proposed, S.B. 1222 amends current law relating to the authority of the commissioner of education to issue subpoenas during an investigation of educator misconduct.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter B, Chapter 21, Education Code, by adding Section 21.062, as follows:
Sec. 21.062. ISSUANCE OF SUBPOENAS. (a) Authorizes the commissioner of education (commissioner), during an investigation by the commissioner of an educator for an alleged incident of misconduct, to issue a subpoena to compel the production, for inspection or copying, of relevant evidence that is located in this state.
(b) Authorizes a subpoena to be served personally or by certified mail.
(c) Authorizes the commissioner, acting through the attorney general, if a person fails to comply with a subpoena, to file suit to enforce the subpoena in a district court in this state. Requires the court, on finding that good cause exists for issuing the subpoena, to order the person to comply with the subpoena. Authorizes the court to punish a person who fails to obey the court order.
(d) Provides that all information and materials subpoenaed or compiled in connection with an investigation described by Subsection (a) are confidential and not subject to disclosure under Chapter 552 (Public Information), Government Code.
SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2015.