BILL ANALYSIS
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
Section 21.006, Education Code, was enacted by the 79th Legislature to require school
superintendents to report to the State Board for Educator Certification the names of educators
they have reason to believe have committed certain crimes, including sexual abuse of a student.
Currently, the press is able to obtain the identity of victims of abuse by a teacher, as there is no
language in the statute to prevent a victim's identity from being publicly released.
Currently, Article 57.02, Code of Criminal Procedure, prohibits the release of identifying
information of sexual assault victims less than 17 years of age. However, that provision does not
apply when Section 21.006, Education Code, is operating alone.
This bill amends Section 21.006, Education Code, to provide that the name of a student or minor who is the victim of abuse or unlawful conduct by an educator must be included in a report filed under Section 21.006, but the name of the student or minor is not public information under Chapter 552, Government Code.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.
ANALYSIS
The bill amends Section 21.006, Education Code, by adding Subsection (h) to read as follows:
(h) The name of a student or minor who is the victim of abuse or unlawful conduct by an educator must be included in a report filed under this section, but the name of the student or minor is not public information under Chapter 552, Government Code.
The bill provides that the Act applies beginning with the 2007-2008 school year.
EFFECTIVE DATE
Upon passage, or, if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act takes effect September 1, 2007.