TX HB3617

Creates an independent Office of Inspector General for Education within the Texas Education Agency to investigate fraud, waste, abuse of agency funds, and employee misconduct including abuse or unlawful acts against students and inappropriate relationships with minors

Requires the Inspector General to be appointed by a two-thirds vote of the State Board of Education with Senate confirmation, serve four-year terms, and possess certification from the Association of Inspectors General along with expertise in law, fraud investigation, or inspector general operations

Mandates school superintendents and directors notify the Inspector General within 24 hours of learning about alleged employee misconduct involving abuse or inappropriate relationships with students, and prohibits local entities from investigating such allegations themselves

Shortens reporting deadlines from seven business days to two business days for principals to notify superintendents and for superintendents to file misconduct reports, and increases minimum administrative penalties for failing to report from $500 to $1,000

Creates a Class B misdemeanor offense for knowingly interfering with Inspector General investigations or making false material statements, and prohibits retaliation against employees, parents, or students who report misconduct