TX HB284

Establishes a state ombudsman for parents of public school children, to be appointed by the State Board of Education and administratively attached to the Texas Education Agency

Requires the ombudsman to be a Texas resident, a current parent of a child enrolled in a public school district or open-enrollment charter school, and prohibits current or former elected officials from serving in the role

Authorizes the ombudsman to receive and investigate complaints from parents regarding unethical conduct or violations of state/federal education law by the TEA, State Board of Education, school districts, charter schools, or their employees

Protects complaint information as confidential and prohibits retaliation against parents who file complaints, their children, or anyone who cooperates with ombudsman investigations

Requires the ombudsman to submit an annual report by December 1 detailing complaint trends, agency changes made in response to substantiated complaints, and outreach efforts, which must be published on the TEA website