TX HB5498

Requires school districts to provide written notice of rights and procedures to grievance filers within 5 business days, including instructions for pursuing grievances with the principal and appealing to the superintendent, board of trustees, and commissioner

Establishes that if a district fails to respond within required timelines, the grievance filer may automatically appeal to the next level of the grievance procedure

Makes unauthorized disclosure of confidential student information (including FERPA violations) grounds for disciplinary action against school employees and requires mandatory training on handling confidential student information

Authorizes the Texas Education Agency to investigate alleged violations of student information confidentiality laws when grievances are appealed to the commissioner and to compel district compliance

Requires districts to submit annual grievance reports to TEA, which must publish a statewide report by December 1 each year showing number of grievances filed, resolutions, and corrective actions taken

Extends these grievance procedure requirements to open-enrollment charter schools beginning with the 2025-2026 school year