BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	H.B. 3629
	By: Noble et al. (Zaffirini)
	Education K-16
	5/16/2025
	Engrossed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Current law does not explicitly prohibit persons required to register as sex offenders from running for or serving as trustees of independent school districts. This creates a public safety concern by allowing someone legally restricted from being near children to seek or hold leadership roles in public education. H.B. 3629 would make registered sex offenders ineligible to serve as school district trustees. It would also require candidates to confirm they are not subject to this restriction when submitting a ballot application. Accordingly, this bill would enhance student safety by closing a statutory gap and ensure school leadership meets basic standards of public trust and suitability.

H.B. 3629 amends current law relating to prohibiting a person required to register as a sex offender from serving as a member of the board of trustees of an independent school district.

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 11.055, Education Code, by adding Subsection (c), as follows:

(c) Requires that an application for a place on the ballot as a candidate for a position on the board of trustees of a school district include a statement that the candidate is aware that a person is not eligible to serve as a trustee of an independent school district if the person is required to register as a sex offender under Chapter 62 (Sex Offender Registration Program), Code of Criminal Procedure.

SECTION 2. Amends Section 11.061, Education Code, by adding Subsection (b-1) to provide that a person is not eligible to serve as a trustee of an independent school district if the person is required to register as a sex offender under Chapter 62, Code of Criminal Procedure.

SECTION 3. Provides that the change in law made by Section 11.061(b-1), Education Code, as added by this Act, applies only to the eligibility of a person to serve on the board of trustees of an independent school district for a term that begins on or after the effective date of this Act or to fill a vacancy that occurs on or after the effective date of this Act.

SECTION 4. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2025.