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HB 1551

AN ACT relating to the notification of parents of students enrolled in

House Bill Hickland
Filed

Filed

Bill introduced by legislator

Committee

Hearing

Passed Cmte

Calendar

Passed

Sent

Enrolled

Governor

Signed

89th Regular Session

Jan 14, 2025 - Jun 2, 2025 • Session ended

Awaiting Committee Assignment

Bill filed, pending referral to House committee

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Committee

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Fiscal Note

Not available

What This Bill Does

Requires public schools and charter schools to notify parents within two school days if an employee is charged with a serious criminal offense. The notification must include the employee's name, position, employment status, length of employment, specific offense, and a statement that the employee is presumed innocent until proven guilty. The bill aims to increase transparency and keep parents informed about potential safety issues involving school employees, starting in the 2025-2026 school year.

Subject Areas

Bill Text

relating to the notification of parents of students enrolled in
public school regarding certain alleged criminal conduct by an
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
(3)  the length of the employee's employment with the
(4)  the offense for which the employee is being
(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
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.

Bill Sponsors

Legislators who authored or co-sponsored this bill.

Bill History

filed

Bill filed: AN ACT relating to the notification of parents of students enrolled in