H.B. No. 3222 proposes significant amendments to the Education Code, focusing on school district policies, the appeals process to the commissioner of education, and the reporting of settlement agreements by public schools. The bill introduces new subsections to Section 7.057 that clarify the appeal process for individuals aggrieved by school district actions, granting the commissioner the authority to remand cases for further investigation and order corrective actions if violations are found. Additionally, it establishes a grievance policy framework requiring school districts to adopt procedures for addressing grievances and ensuring compliance with mandatory policies.

The bill also establishes a dispute resolution facilitation program, allowing the commissioner to appoint facilitators to assist in resolving grievances involving parents or guardians. It sets specific timelines for filing grievances and appeals, requiring parents or guardians to file within 60 days of becoming aware of an issue, with an extension to 90 days if informal resolution attempts were made. The bill mandates that school districts develop and publicly post grievance procedures and standardized forms, as well as report settlement agreement details to the relevant agency. Notably, it removes the requirement for school districts to post trustee information on their websites, emphasizing transparency and accountability in operations. The changes will take effect in the 2025-2026 school year, with immediate effect possible upon a two-thirds majority vote in both houses.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Education Code 7.057, Education Code 11.1518, Education Code 26.011 (Education Code 26, Education Code 7, Education Code 11)