Texas House Bill HB3319

Texas 2017 - 85th Regular

Caption

Relating to the exception under the public information law for certain information held by a school district.

Impact

The enactment of HB3319 would create a pathway for increased transparency regarding employee evaluations and disciplinary actions within school districts. This change is expected to give employees the right to access critical information that may affect their employment status or work conditions, potentially leading to a fairer process in handling complaints or evaluations. However, this could also result in administrative challenges for school districts as they navigate compliance with these new disclosure requirements.

Summary

House Bill 3319 aims to modify the public information law in Texas specifically concerning the disclosure of information held by school districts. The bill introduces a new provision under Section 552.135 of the Government Code which allows information that is typically exempt from disclosure to be made available to an employee or former employee if that information is used as the basis for their evaluation or any disciplinary action. This represents a significant shift in how certain personnel-related records are handled and disclosed within educational institutions.

Contention

The bill presents potential points of contention regarding the balance between an employee's right to access information and the school's need to protect sensitive information. Critics may argue that such access could expose personal or confidential information that should remain protected, while supporters would highlight the importance of transparency and accountability in educational settings. As the bill moves through the legislative process, discussions will likely center around the implications for employee rights and the administrative burden on school districts.