80R1937 BDH-F
 
  By: Eissler H.B. No. 362
 
 
 
   
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the ability of public school employees to communicate
with members of a school district board of trustees.
       BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
       SECTION 1.  Section 11.163, Education Code, is amended by
adding Subsection (f) to read as follows:
       (f)  The employment policy may not restrict the ability of a
school district employee to communicate directly with a member of
the board of trustees regarding a matter relating to the operation
of the district, except that the policy may prohibit:
             (1)  communication during:
                   (A)  the employee's regular working hours at the
district; or
                   (B)  the operating hours of a district campus; and
             (2)  ex parte communication relating to:
                   (A)  a hearing under Subchapter E or F, Chapter
21; and
                   (B)  another appeal or hearing in which ex parte
communication would be inappropriate pending a final decision by a
school district board of trustees.
       SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2007
.