This report covers TEA’s video on the “Do Not Hire” Registry, part of a larger series on HB 3. The video can be found here.
This report is intended to give you an overview and highlight of the discussions on the various topics the committee took up. It is not a verbatim transcript of the hearing but is based upon what was audible or understandable to the observer and the desire to get details out as quickly as possible with few errors or omissions.
- Since 2003 the legislature has addressed the issue of educators fired for misconduct moving to another district and engaging in the same misconduct. HB 3 continues these efforts.
- In the past, SBEC had authority to discipline certified teachers for misconduct but had little to no authority to do the same to non-certified school employees.
- An increasing percentage of school employees are non-certified.
- HB 3 makes it required to report non-certified educator misconduct, create a Registry of individuals ineligible for employment, and requires schools to terminate or refuse to hire anyone on the registry.
- SB 1476 ensures that reporting is not required if it is found that the educator did not engage in certain conduct.
- SB 1230 requires private schools to report certain allegations against educators.
- Timelines and process will be exactly the same for certified and non-certified employees.
- Intent to conceal misconduct will be a criminal offense.
- Do Not Hire Registry will include individuals who:
- Had their SBEC certificate revoked due to an inappropriate relationship with a student or minor.
- Individuals found ineligible based on deferred adjudication or being convicted of certain crimes defined in the statute.
- Allegations of misconduct will result in a hearing. If misconduct is found, the individual will be placed on the registry. If no misconduct is found, a warning will be removed from the registry.
- Schools must begin checking the registry upon hire starting in 2020 upon launch of the registry.
- Schools must terminate any educators on the registry.
- Public will be able to see name, approximate age, and date an individual was placed on the registry. They will not be able to verify identity based on SSN or date of birth.