HF5381 Summary

• Establishes data sharing governance allowing the Department of Education's Office of the Inspector General access to all program data regardless of confidentiality classification held by the department, school districts, charter schools, and other fund recipients.

• Grants the inspector general authority to administer oaths, subpoena witnesses, compel attendance, and issue subpoenas duces tecum for audits and investigations, with subpoena recipients prohibited from disclosing the subpoena except as necessary or by court order.

• Authorizes the inspector general to access routing and account numbers, books, accounts, documents, and financial records from state agencies, school districts, and entities receiving Department of Education funds for detecting fraud, waste, or abuse investigations.

• Empowers the commissioner to impose sanctions including ending program participation, stopping funds disbursement, or denying contracts based on inspector general recommendations following criminal convictions, credible indicia of fraud/waste/abuse, or preponderance of evidence findings.

• Requires notice of sanctions within seven business days and allows recipients 30 days to request a contested case hearing through the Office of the Inspector General.