79R4100 SLO-F

By:  Branch                                                       H.B. No. 827


A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the designation of research centers to evaluate state or federally funded education programs and the sharing of student data. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Chapter 1, Education Code, is amended by adding Section 1.005 to read as follows: Sec. 1.005. DESIGNATION OF RESEARCH CENTERS; SHARING OF STUDENT DATA. (a) Any state agency that is involved in providing elementary, secondary, or higher education services in this state may designate one or more research centers for the purpose of evaluating any elementary, secondary, or higher education institution or school district that is supported in whole or in part by state or federal funds. (b) Any state agency described by Subsection (a) may share identifiable individual student data with any other state agency described by Subsection (a) and any research center designated by the agency under Subsection (a) as allowed under 20 U.S.C. Section 1232g(b)(1). The agency is not required to obtain the consent of each individual educational institution or school district to share the data if: (1) the agency and the research center have entered into a memorandum of understanding that establishes that the research is being conducted by the center on behalf of or as authorized by the agency; (2) the agency and the research center have signed a confidentiality agreement that adequately protects confidential student records; and (3) the agency retains jurisdiction over all confidential data and research conducted by the research center for the agency. SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2005.