BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center                                                                                                 C.S.S.B. 386

79R12541 BDH-D                                                                                                    By: Wentworth

                                                                                                                                            Education

4/20/2005

Committee Report (Substituted)

AUTHOR'S/SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Current law does not permit school employees to communicate directly with a school board member about a matter relating to the operation of the school district.  C.S.S.B. 386 revises Section 11.163, Education Code, to allow a school employee to communicate directly with a school board member about a matter relating to the operation of the school district under certain restrictions. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Section 11.163, Education Code, by adding Subsections (d), to prohibit the employment policy [for school district personnel] from restricting the ability of a school district employee to communicate directly with a member of the board of trustees of the school district regarding a matter relating to the operation of the district, except that the policy may prohibit certain ex parte communications and communications during certain times.   

SECTION 2.  Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2005.