The bill proposes the establishment of an ombudsman specifically for parents of children enrolled in public schools in Texas, as outlined in the newly added Chapter 26A to the Education Code. The State Board of Education is tasked with appointing this ombudsman, who must be a resident of Texas and a parent of a child in a school district or open-enrollment charter school, while also prohibiting current or former elected officials from holding the position. The ombudsman will be responsible for receiving and investigating complaints from parents regarding unethical conduct or violations of laws related to public education, ensuring confidentiality, and providing necessary assistance to parents in making complaints.

Additionally, the bill includes provisions for the ombudsman to develop outreach plans to raise awareness among parents, maintain confidentiality of the information received, and prohibit retaliation against individuals who cooperate with the ombudsman. The ombudsman will also be required to submit annual reports detailing their activities, trends in complaints, and any changes made by the agency in response to substantiated complaints. The act is set to take effect on September 1, 2025.

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