BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 3629

By: Noble

Public Education

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The bill author has informed the committee that there are no specific restrictions preventing registered sex offenders from running for or serving on an independent school district board of trustees, which poses safety concerns. H.B. 3629 seeks to ensure that those in school leadership positions are allowed to be around children by making a person required to register as a sex offender ineligible to serve as a trustee of an independent school district.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

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. 3629 amends the Education Code to make a person required to register as a sex offender ineligible to serve as a trustee of an independent school district. The bill applies only to the eligibility of a person to serve on a district's board of trustees for a term that begins on or after the bill's effective date or to fill a vacancy that occurs on or after that date.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2025.