Lt. Governor Patrick Statement on Inappropriate Student-Educator Relationship -“Pass the Trash” Bill



 

AUSTIN – Today, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick issued this statement following the pre-filing of Senate Bill 7, the Inappropriate Student-Educator Relationship – “Pass the Trash”, by Senator Paul Bettencourt.

‘Pass the Trash,’ refers to schools that allow teachers who are accused of sexual misconduct, abuse, neglect and other misdeeds to resign without forwarding the required notification to the Texas Education Agency. This allows them to be re-hired for teaching jobs elsewhere, where they often re-offend.

Lt Governor Patrick said:

“I consider ‘Pass the Trash’ to be such a serious issue that I’ve made it a top priority for the upcoming legislative session. Parents should not have to worry about sexual predators in the classroom. Public school superintendents’ are already lawfully required to report teachers who are preying on the innocent. This legislation will assure that any superintendent or principal who does not do so is guilty of ‘passing the trash’ and should resign or be fired.

“I applaud Sen. Bettencourt for quickly filing Senate Bill 7 to end this unacceptable practice.”