BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 2512

By: Aycock

Public Education

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

It currently is at the discretion of a hearing officer, usually an administrator, to determine whether an individual filing a grievance may record the grievance conference. Given the power held by an administrator in this regard, teachers can be reluctant even to ask if they may audiotape a grievance hearing.

H.B. 2512 authorizes any party to a grievance conference to make an audio recording of the conference.

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

H.B. 2512 amends the Education Code to require a school district grievance policy to permit the making of an audio recording

of any meeting or proceeding at which the substance of a grievance that complies with the policy is investigated or discussed. The bill authorizes the making of the recording by either a district employee present at the meeting or proceeding or by the person conducting the meeting or proceeding and, if a recording is made, requires each district employee or other person present at the meeting or proceeding to be informed before the recording begins that the recording will occur.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2009.