79S10034 BDH-F

By:  Eissler                                                      H.B. No. 31 



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the ability of public school employees to communicate 
with members of a school district board of trustees.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Section 11.163, Education Code, is amended by 
adding Subsections (f) and (g) to read as follows:
	(f)  The employment policy must:                                        
		(1)  permit school district employees to communicate 
directly with a member of the board of trustees without restriction 
regarding a matter relating to the operation of the district; and
		(2)  provide that a trustee receiving a communication 
from a district employee may keep the identity of the employee 
confidential.
	(g)  A member of the board of trustees may inquire about the 
substance of a communication from a district employee at a board of 
trustees meeting.  The inquiry is subject to Section 551.042, 
Government Code, except that:
		(1)  the notice provisions of Chapter 551, Government 
Code, do not apply to an inquiry, proposal, or decision made under 
this subsection; and
		(2)  a trustee may propose, and a majority of the 
trustees may decide, that the substance of the inquiry be 
investigated and reported to the board at a subsequent meeting.
	SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives 
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as 
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this 
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this 
Act takes effect on the 91st day after the last day of the 
legislative session.