Texas Senate Bill SB996

Texas 2015 - 84th Regular

Caption

Relating to notifying a parent or guardian whether an employee of a school is appointed school marshal and the confidentiality of information submitted to or collected by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement in connection with a certification for appointment as school marshal.

Impact

The bill amends the Education Code by adding a new subsection to emphasize parental rights to know about school marshals. Furthermore, it reinforces confidentiality provisions under the Occupations Code, ensuring that the personal details of marshals remain protected, thereby impacting how school districts manage communication related to safety personnel. This approach is designed to enhance parents' trust while safeguarding the identities of those tasked with upholding school security.

Summary

SB996 is a legislative bill that pertains to the notification process for parents or guardians regarding the appointment of school marshals within Texas schools. The bill stipulates that schools must inform parents or guardians in writing if they inquire about whether any employee is designated as a school marshal. However, this notification must ensure that no confidential information about the individual appointed as a school marshal is disclosed. This bill aims to balance transparency with the need to protect sensitive information related to school safety personnel.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding SB996 appears to be largely positive among supporters who view it as a necessary measure for increasing parental awareness regarding school safety personnel. The clarity provided in the notification process is seen as a step towards promoting active parental involvement in school governance. However, there may also be concerns from some quarters about whether the balance between transparency and confidentiality is adequately maintained, as critics might argue that the confidentiality aspect could lead to ambiguity about the accountability of safety personnel.

Contention

The central point of contention with SB996 lies in the tension between providing sufficient information to parents while also upholding the confidentiality of school marshals. The legislation seeks to prevent any potential disclosures that could endanger school safety personnel or compromise their roles. Critics may still raise questions about the efficacy of notifying parents without providing more detailed information, which could impact the overall trust in school management and safety protocols.