By: Hickland H.B. No. 1551
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the notification of parents of students enrolled in
public school regarding certain alleged criminal conduct by an
employee.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter C, Chapter 22, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 22.088 to read as follows:
Sec. 22.088. NOTICE TO PARENTS REGARDING CERTAIN EMPLOYEE
CRIMINAL CONDUCT. (a) Not later than the second school day after a
school district or open-enrollment charter school becomes aware
that an employee of the district or school has been charged with an
offense described by Article 42.018, Code of Criminal Procedure,
the district or school shall notify the parent or guardian of each
student enrolled at the campus at which the employee is employed of
the charged offense. The notice must include:
(1) the employee's name and position;
(2) whether the employee continues to be employed at
the district or school;
(3) the length of the employee's employment with the
district or school;
(4) the offense for which the employee is being
charged; and
(5) a statement that, under state and federal law, a
person is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
(b) A school district or open-enrollment charter school may
include in the notice under Subsection (a) additional information
regarding underlying facts or circumstances relating to the charged
offense but may not disclose the identity of the alleged victim.
(c) The commissioner by rule shall establish guidelines for
providing notice under Subsection (a) during a period in which the
school district or open-enrollment charter school is closed.
SECTION 2. This Act applies beginning with the 2025-2026
school year.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2025.