The bill establishes the Office of Inspector General for Education within the Texas Education Agency, aimed at investigating public education administration and addressing employee misconduct. It introduces a new subchapter in the Education Code that defines the inspector general's responsibilities and powers, including the ability to issue subpoenas and access records. The inspector general will be appointed by a two-thirds vote of the board and will operate independently to ensure impartial investigations. The bill also mandates the creation of a comprehensive database to track complaints and investigations, while emphasizing confidentiality and the prohibition of interference with investigations.

Additionally, the bill amends various sections of the Education Code to enhance reporting and accountability measures for educator misconduct. It requires school districts to notify parents or guardians about alleged misconduct by the end of the business day and mandates that a redacted summary report of investigations be provided within 120 days. The bill imposes penalties on principals and superintendents who fail to report misconduct and protects individuals who report misconduct from retaliation. Overall, the legislation aims to strengthen the framework for addressing misconduct in educational settings and is set to take effect on January 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Education Code 21.006, Education Code 22.093 (Education Code 22, Education Code 21)