The bill establishes the Office of Inspector General for Education within the Texas Education Agency, which will operate independently to investigate public education administration and employee misconduct. The inspector general, appointed by the board with Senate consent, must possess specific qualifications, including certification as an inspector general investigator. The office will have the authority to conduct investigations, issue subpoenas, and refer findings for administrative action. A memorandum of understanding will be created between the inspector general, the board, and the attorney general to outline procedures for addressing allegations of fraud, waste, or abuse of agency funds. The bill also mandates the development of a comprehensive database to track complaints and investigations, ensuring confidentiality under Chapter 552 of the Government Code.

Additionally, the bill enhances reporting and accountability measures for educator misconduct, requiring timely notifications to the inspector general and the State Board for Educator Certification regarding incidents involving educators with criminal records or misconduct allegations. It imposes sanctions on principals and superintendents who fail to report such incidents and outlines specific actions that must be reported, including abuse and criminal offenses. The bill also prohibits retaliation against individuals who report misconduct and mandates that parents or guardians be notified of alleged misconduct by the end of the business day. A redacted summary report of investigations must be provided to parents within 120 days of the investigation's conclusion. The changes are 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)