(Texas Scorecard) – A bill to strengthen student safety by closing “dangerous loopholes” in teacher misconduct reporting laws has passed the Texas Legislature and awaits the governor’s signature.
Despite current laws, Texas schools have continued “passing the trash”—covering up allegations of educators physically or sexually abusing students, enabling them to keep working around kids in other school districts.
Senate Bill 571 by State Sen. Paul Bettencourt (R–Houston) closes gaps in both educator misconduct reporting and the Do Not Hire Registry for individuals ineligible for employment by a Texas public school due to misconduct or criminal history.
The measure received overwhelming bipartisan support from lawmakers in both chambers.
“SB 571 ensures that misconduct is caught early and acted on swiftly, no more ‘passing the trash’ or looking the other way that lets predators reappear in other educational roles or in other schools,” said Bettencourt in a press statement.
Bettencourt said his bill “closes dangerous loopholes” and “strengthens student safety” by
- requiring all campus personnel, including contractors, to be screened through the Do Not Hire Registry;
- allowing school contractors access to relevant registry data;
- expanding reportable/disqualifying misconduct to include physical mistreatment or threats, “romantic” relationships, inappropriate communications, or failing to maintain appropriate boundaries with a student or minor;
- mandating earlier reporting of misconduct, to within 48 hours rather than the current 7 business days; and
- allowing for temporary placements on the DNHR while investigations take place.
SB 517 is meant to build on prior legislation that was intended to stop schools from passing the trash.
A bill by Bettencourt, enacted in 2017, strengthened educator misconduct reporting requirements and penalties. In 2019, he co-sponsored a measure that first established the Do Not Hire Registry.
Since then, thousands of cases of sexual and violent misconduct by educators have been reported to the Texas Education Agency.
Public testimony during a Senate committee hearing on SB 571 riled Bettencourt and other senators, as witnesses described how predatory school employees had slipped through loopholes in past legislation and cited cases of school officials failing to follow the law.
“This is part of what we’ve been passing for the last number of sessions. And this is abhorrently stupid, injurious behavior by someone that claims to be a, you know, an education official,” Bettencourt said in response to testimony from Matt Antkowiak, chief of police for Newman International Academy in Arlington.
Antkowiak testified how Fort Worth ISD officials had failed to report a teacher’s repeated sexual misconduct. The admitted predator was then hired by Newman Academy, where he worked until his arrest last year, along with two other teachers charged with sex crimes against students.
“It infuriates me to hear this, because we went through a lot of fights to get these bills passed, and we specifically put in sections about superintendents,” said Bettencourt. “It is well beyond a disappointment.”
“I’m absolutely outraged,” added State Sen. Tan Parker (R–Flower Mound), vowing to “make certain that everyone in Fort Worth ISD knows how seriously this committee takes this matter.”
Aileen Blachowski, president of parent advocacy group Texas Education 911, said SB 571 closes some important loopholes, such as leveling the playing field between private and public schools and requiring school officials to report misconduct when they become aware of the allegations instead of waiting until an employee resigns or is fired.
However, Blachowski told Texas Scorecard that parents remain concerned about a few of SB 571’s provisions and omissions.
Blachowski believes leaving investigations in the hands of school districts allows for continued coverups. In addition to stronger reporting laws, Texas Education 911 advocated for an independent inspector general for education to review the reports, but the proposed legislation never received hearings.
She also warned that SB 571’s confidentiality clause will prevent public transparency about allegations of educator misconduct.
Texas Education 911’s report on educator sexual misconduct, State-Sponsored Child Abuse, documented holes in the current reporting system, and provided legislative solutions for addressing the growing number of violent and sexual crimes committed by tax-funded school employees.
Bettencourt noted in his press statement that Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick called SB 571 a top priority, along with House Bill 4623 by State Rep. Mitch Little (R–Lewisville), which ends immunity for school districts and officials who cover up educators’ sexual abuse of students.
During Senate deliberations on HB 4623, Patrick called on Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath to deliver both laws directly to all school district superintendents and principals in Texas, stating, “No more excuses. We are watching.”
Once SB 571 becomes law, it will take immediate effect, as it received a two-thirds vote in each chamber.
Gov. Greg Abbott has indicated he will sign SB 571.
“Today, the Texas House took action to force schools to report sexual misconduct & grooming,” Abbott posted to X on May 28. “No more cover ups. No more passing the trash. I will sign this bill into law when it hits my desk.”
SB 571 was sent to Abbott on June 3. Any measures sent to the governor and not vetoed by June 22 will automatically become law.