S.B. No. 571 seeks to strengthen the reporting and investigation processes for misconduct, child abuse, and neglect in Texas educational settings. It amends Article 42.018(a) of the Code of Criminal Procedure to clarify the types of offenses that must be reported, including those requiring sex offender registration and certain felonies. The bill introduces Chapter 22A to the Education Code, which defines employee and service provider misconduct and establishes a registry for individuals ineligible for employment in educational entities. It mandates educational institutions to report specific misconduct to the State Board for Educator Certification, ensuring confidentiality while outlining disclosure circumstances. The legislation aims to enhance the safety and integrity of educational environments by ensuring thorough investigations and reporting of misconduct allegations.

Additionally, the bill introduces provisions that grant immunity to superintendents and principals who report misconduct in good faith and imposes sanctions on educators who fail to comply with reporting requirements. It establishes a framework for the immediate placement of notices of alleged misconduct on educators' public certification records and requires notification to educators when such notices are placed. The bill also mandates criminal history checks for employees and applicants, prohibits the hiring of individuals with certain criminal convictions, and allows for the temporary suspension of educator certifications based on misconduct allegations. Overall, S.B. No. 571 aims to enhance accountability, transparency, and safety within educational institutions by implementing stricter regulations and reporting protocols.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Education Code 22.0834, Education Code 22.092 (Education Code 22)
Senate Committee Report: Subtitle D, Title , Education Code 43.24, Education Code 39.003, Family Code 261.001, Family Code 261.101, Family Code 261.103, Family Code 261.104, Family Code 261.105, Family Code 261.301, Family Code 261.304, Family Code 261.308, Family Code 261.402, Family Code 261.406, Education Code 7.028, Education Code 12.0271, Education Code 12.0631, Education Code 12.104, Education Code 12.1059, Education Code 12.1151, Education Code 12.252, Education Code 21.054, Education Code 21.0585, Education Code 22.0815, Education Code 22.0825, Education Code 22.0833, Education Code 22.0834, Education Code 22.0836, Education Code 33.913, Education Code 39.0302, Health and Safety Code 810.003, Health and Safety Code 810.004, The following provisions of the Education Code 33.913 (Education Code 33, Education Code 7, Health and Safety Code 810, Family Code 261, Subtitle D, Title , Education Code 43, Education Code 21, Education Code 39, Education Code 22, The following provisions of the Education Code 33, Education Code 12)
Engrossed: Subtitle D, Title , Education Code 43.24, Education Code 39.003, Family Code 261.001, Family Code 261.101, Family Code 261.103, Family Code 261.104, Family Code 261.105, Family Code 261.301, Family Code 261.304, Family Code 261.308, Family Code 261.402, Family Code 261.406, Education Code 7.028, Education Code 12.0271, Education Code 12.0631, Education Code 12.104, Education Code 12.1059, Education Code 12.1151, Education Code 12.252, Education Code 21.054, Education Code 21.0585, Education Code 22.0815, Education Code 22.0825, Education Code 22.0833, Education Code 22.0834, Education Code 22.0836, Education Code 33.913, Education Code 39.0302, Health and Safety Code 810.003, Health and Safety Code 810.004, The following provisions of the Education Code 33.913 (Education Code 33, Education Code 7, Health and Safety Code 810, Family Code 261, Subtitle D, Title , Education Code 43, Education Code 21, Education Code 39, Education Code 22, The following provisions of the Education Code 33, Education Code 12)
House Committee Report: Subtitle D, Title , Education Code 43.24, Education Code 39.003, Family Code 261.001, Family Code 261.101, Family Code 261.103, Family Code 261.104, Family Code 261.105, Family Code 261.301, Family Code 261.304, Family Code 261.308, Family Code 261.402, Family Code 261.406, Education Code 7.028, Education Code 12.0271, Education Code 12.0631, Education Code 12.104, Education Code 12.1059, Education Code 12.1151, Education Code 12.252, Education Code 21.054, Education Code 21.0585, Education Code 22.0815, Education Code 22.0825, Education Code 22.0833, Education Code 22.0834, Education Code 22.0836, Education Code 33.913, Education Code 39.0302, Health and Safety Code 810.003, Health and Safety Code 810.004, The following provisions of the Education Code 33.913 (Education Code 33, Education Code 7, Health and Safety Code 810, Family Code 261, Subtitle D, Title , Education Code 43, Education Code 21, Education Code 39, Education Code 22, The following provisions of the Education Code 33, Education Code 12)
Enrolled: Subtitle D, Title , Education Code 43.24, Education Code 39.003, Family Code 261.001, Family Code 261.101, Family Code 261.103, Family Code 261.104, Family Code 261.105, Family Code 261.301, Family Code 261.304, Family Code 261.308, Family Code 261.402, Family Code 261.406, Education Code 7.028, Education Code 12.0271, Education Code 12.0631, Education Code 12.104, Education Code 12.1059, Education Code 12.1151, Education Code 12.252, Education Code 21.054, Education Code 21.0585, Education Code 22.0815, Education Code 22.0825, Education Code 22.0833, Education Code 22.0834, Education Code 22.0836, Education Code 33.913, Education Code 39.0302, Health and Safety Code 810.003, Health and Safety Code 810.004, The following provisions of the Education Code 33.913 (Education Code 33, Education Code 7, Health and Safety Code 810, Family Code 261, Subtitle D, Title , Education Code 43, Education Code 21, Education Code 39, Education Code 22, The following provisions of the Education Code 33, Education Code 12)