Monitoring the Session

SB 571

bill widening background checks for school contract workers

Became law

Verdict: No flags

No flagsInitial review
Sen. Paul BettencourtRSenate 7

Initial review · graded Oct 20, 2026 · Headline, summary and grade are analysis of the bill text, not a finding about any person · How we grade

Caption

relating to the eligibility of certain contract employees to provide services to a public school and access to the registry of persons who are not eligible for employment at public schools.

Caption from analyzed text · version I.

Summary

Anyone who must be physically present at a school building is covered.

The bill widens background-check rules so they cover any contract worker who must be physically present at a school building, not just those with ongoing duties and direct contact with students. It bars school districts, charter schools, service centers, bus companies and contractors from letting such a worker provide services at a school if the worker has a disqualifying conviction or is flagged for listed misconduct in the state's interagency reportable conduct search engine. It also lets contracting companies and their subcontractors check the state registry of people not eligible to work in public schools, and the new rules apply to contracts signed on or after the effective date.

Labels

Labels: BUZZER BEATER. Final vote May 30, 2025: the Senate concurred in the House amendments. 3 days before the session ended Jun 2, 2025.INSTANT LAW. Took effect immediately, on Jun 20, 2025. 833 of the 1,185 graded 89R laws took effect Sep 1, 2025 (derived from the bill histories, snapshot Oct 19, 2026).ACROSS THE AISLE. Joint authors: 6 Republicans, 2 Democrats. Party as the Legislative Reference Library lists it for the 89th Legislature.

Receipt

The receipt

89R-SB571 · 2024-12-12

SOLD BY

+ 5 more authors, 7 coauthors

ITEM

relating to the eligibility of certain contract employees to provide services to a public school and access to the registry of persons who are not eligible for employment at public schools.

WHAT IT DOES

Anyone who must be physically present at a school building is covered.

The bill widens background-check rules so they cover any contract worker who must be physically present at a school building, not just those with ongoing duties and direct contact with students. It bars school districts, charter schools, service centers, bus companies and contractors from letting such a worker provide services at a school if the worker has a disqualifying conviction or is flagged for listed misconduct in the state's interagency reportable conduct search engine. It also lets contracting companies and their subcontractors check the state registry of people not eligible to work in public schools, and the new rules apply to contracts signed on or after the effective date.

CHARGES

[ ] NONE FOUND

TOTAL

Net to General Revenue · FY 2026($3,149,840)

LBB estimate, flow · fiscal note version F · ( ) = negative · source

Sources

Fiscal note · version F · May 29, 2025

Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for SB571, As Passed 2nd House: a negative impact of ($6,331,332) through the biennium ending August 31, 2027. The bill would make no appropriation but could provide the legal basis for an appropriation of funds to implement the provisions of the bill.

First year · FY 2026 · ($3,149,840)

Probable Net Positive/(Negative) Impact to General Revenue Related Funds

LBB published estimates · flow over the stated periods.

Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

HISTORY

  1. Received by the Secretary of the Senate
  2. Filed
  3. Read first time
  4. Referred to Education K-16
  5. Scheduled for public hearing on . . .
  6. Considered in public hearing
  7. Testimony taken in committee
  8. Left pending in committee
  9. Co-author authorized
  10. Co-author authorized
  11. Considered in public hearing
  12. Vote taken in committee
  13. Reported favorably as substituted
  14. Committee report printed and distributed
  15. Co-author authorized
  16. Placed on intent calendar
  17. Co-author authorized
  18. Rules suspended-Regular order of business
  19. Vote recorded in Journal
  20. Read 2nd time & passed to engrossment
  21. Vote recorded in Journal
  22. Three day rule suspended
  23. Record vote
  24. Read 3rd time
  25. Passed
  26. Record vote
  27. Reported engrossed
  28. Received from the Senate
  29. Read first time
  30. Referred to Public Education
  31. Posting rule suspended
  32. Scheduled for public hearing on . . .
  33. No action taken in committee
  34. Posting rule suspended
  35. Scheduled for public hearing on . . .
  36. Considered in public hearing
  37. Testimony taken/registration(s) recorded in committee
  38. Left pending in committee
  39. Considered in formal meeting
  40. Reported favorably w/o amendment(s)
  41. Comte report filed with Committee Coordinator
  42. Committee report distributed
  43. Committee report sent to Calendars
  44. Considered in Calendars
  45. Placed on General State Calendar
  46. Read 2nd time
  47. Amended 1-Leach
  48. Record vote RV#3700
  49. Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
  50. Passed to 3rd reading as amended
  51. Record vote RV#3701
  52. Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
  53. Rules suspended
  54. Additional sponsor(s) authorized
  55. Read 3rd time
  56. Passed
  57. Record vote RV#3841
  58. Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
  59. House passage as amended reported
  60. House amendment(s) laid before the Senate
  61. Read
  62. Senate concurs in House amendment(s)
  63. Record vote
  64. Senate concurs in House amendment(s)-reported
  65. Reported enrolled
  66. Signed in the Senate
  67. Signed in the House
  68. Sent to the Governor
  69. Signed by the Governor
  70. Effective immediately
FILED UNDER

No verified beat found.

SIGNED FOR BY

House · 126 yea · 10 nay

Senate · 30 yea · 1 nay

Sources

House: Final passage · May 28, 2025. Journal. Published stock for this vote. Snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

Senate: Final passage · May 8, 2025. Journal. Published stock for this vote. Snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

All floor motions and other positions below.

No flags

THANK YOU FOR CHECKING THE RECEIPT

CAMPAIGN PAID FOR BY

CAMPAIGN PAID FOR BY

Donors

Donors report through Friends of Paul Bettencourt.

Not tied to this bill.

Sources

The author's campaign account only. Own money and internal transfers are separate on the member page.

Derived itemized flow · Oct 27, 2024 to Jun 30, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Money

Missing data does not establish zero giving. Display amounts are rounded.

Votes7

Senate May 30, 2025

Yea
30
Nay
1
Present, not voting
Not printed
Absent
Not printed
Excused
Not printed
Names

Named positions matched to lawmakers. See the journal for unmatched names.

Senate journal

Names were not printed for yea. Only the named positions are included in member records.

Sources

Senator Bettencourt moved to concur in the House amendment to SB 571. The motion prevailed by the following vote: Yeas 30, Nays 1.

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

  • Yea: 30 (published)
  • Nay: 1 (published)
  • Present, not voting: Not printed
  • Absent: Not printed
  • Excused: Not printed

Senate journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

House May 28, 2025

Yea
126
Nay
10
Present, not voting
3
Absent
5
Excused
6
Names

Named positions matched to lawmakers. See the journal for unmatched names.

House journal

Sources

Record 3841

SB 571 was passed by (Record 3841): 126 Yeas, 10 Nays, 3 Present, not voting.

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

  • Yea: 126 (published)
  • Nay: 10 (published)
  • Present, not voting: 3 (published)
  • Absent: 5 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 6 (derived from named list)

House journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

House May 27, 2025

Yea
134
Nay
2
Present, not voting
1
Absent
10
Excused
3
Names

Named positions matched to lawmakers. See the journal for unmatched names.

House journal

Sources

Record 3701

SB 571, as amended, was passed to third reading by (Record 3701): 134 Yeas, 2 Nays, 1 Present, not voting.

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

  • Yea: 134 (published)
  • Nay: 2 (published)
  • Present, not voting: 1 (published)
  • Absent: 10 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 3 (derived from named list)

House journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

House May 27, 2025

Yea
131
Nay
2
Present, not voting
2
Absent
12
Excused
3
Names

Named positions matched to lawmakers. See the journal for unmatched names.

House journal

Sources

Record 3700

Amendment No. 1 was adopted by (Record 3700): 131 Yeas, 2 Nays, 2 Present, not voting.

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

  • Yea: 131 (published)
  • Nay: 2 (published)
  • Present, not voting: 2 (published)
  • Absent: 12 (derived from named list)
  • Excused: 3 (derived from named list)

House journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

Senate May 8, 2025

Yea
30
Nay
1
Present, not voting
Not printed
Absent
Not printed
Excused
Not printed
Names

Named positions matched to lawmakers. See the journal for unmatched names.

Senate journal

Names were not printed for yea. Only the named positions are included in member records.

Sources

The bill was read third time and was passed by the following vote: Yeas 30, Nays 1. (Same as previous roll call)

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

  • Yea: 30 (published)
  • Nay: 1 (published)
  • Present, not voting: Not printed
  • Absent: Not printed
  • Excused: Not printed

Senate journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

Senate May 8, 2025

Yea
30
Nay
1
Present, not voting
Not printed
Absent
Not printed
Excused
Not printed
Names

Named positions matched to lawmakers. See the journal for unmatched names.

Senate journal

Names were not printed for yea. Only the named positions are included in member records.

Sources

Senator Bettencourt moved that Senate Rule 7.18 and the Constitutional Rule requiring bills to be read on three several days be suspended and that CSSB 571 be placed on its third reading and final passage. The motion prevailed by the following vote: Yeas 30, Nays 1.

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

  • Yea: 30 (published)
  • Nay: 1 (published)
  • Present, not voting: Not printed
  • Absent: Not printed
  • Excused: Not printed

Senate journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

Senate May 8, 2025

Yea
Not printed
Nay
Not printed
Present, not voting
Not printed
Absent
Not printed
Excused
Not printed
Names

Named positions matched to lawmakers. See the journal for unmatched names.

Senate journal

Names were not printed for yea. Only the named positions are included in member records.

Voice vote. No numeric tally or individual yeas are inferred.

Sources

Senator Bettencourt moved to suspend the regular order of business to take up for consideration CSSB 571 at this time on its second reading: CSSB 571, Relating to the reporting and investigation of certain misconduct and child abuse and neglect; creating a criminal offense. The motion prevailed. Senator Eckhardt asked to be recorded as voting "Nay" on suspension of the regular order of business. The bill was read second time and was passed to engrossment by a viva voce vote.

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

  • Yea: Not printed
  • Nay: Not printed
  • Present, not voting: Not printed
  • Absent: Not printed
  • Excused: Not printed

Senate journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

Witnesses55
For
31
Against
12
On
12
Names

For

  • Association of Texas Professional Educators (ATPE)2 registrations
  • Children at Risk2 registrations
  • Not On Our Watch Texas1 registration
  • Self4 registrations
  • Self; Autism Society of Texas1 registration
  • Self; Texas Family Project1 registration
  • Self; True Texas Project2 registrations
  • Self; True texas project3 registrations
  • Self; True TexasProject2 registrations
  • TASB1 registration
  • Texas Association of Community Schools1 registration
  • Texas Association of School Administrators2 registrations
  • Texas Association of School Boards2 registrations
  • Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops1 registration
  • Texas Private Schools Association3 registrations
  • Texas Public Charter Schools Association1 registration
  • TexProtects1 registration
  • The Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops1 registration

Against

  • Self4 registrations
  • Self; Citizens Defending Freedom3 registrations
  • Self; Heart of Texas Behavioral Health Network1 registration
  • Self; Texas AFT1 registration
  • Texas AFT1 registration
  • Texas Classroom Teachers Association2 registrations

On

  • Self3 registrations
  • Self; Texas Education 9111 registration
  • TEA2 registrations
  • Texas Education Agency5 registrations
  • TXDPS1 registration
Sources

55 parsed registrations across the loaded witness lists.

Derived stock of witness registrations. Repeated appearances count separately. Organizations and self-representation appear as printed.

House witness list. Source snapshot 2026-10-20, Central time.

Senate witness list. Source snapshot 2026-10-20, Central time.

Fiscal
Net to General Revenue · FY 2026($3,149,840)

LBB estimate, flow · fiscal note version F · ( ) = negative · source

Sources

Fiscal note · version F · May 29, 2025

Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for SB571, As Passed 2nd House: a negative impact of ($6,331,332) through the biennium ending August 31, 2027. The bill would make no appropriation but could provide the legal basis for an appropriation of funds to implement the provisions of the bill.

First year · FY 2026 · ($3,149,840)

Probable Net Positive/(Negative) Impact to General Revenue Related Funds

LBB published estimates · flow over the stated periods.

Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

How this was graded

Analysis of text version I by claude-opus-5-5, Oct 20, 2026, against the published rubric.

Sources

Texas Senate · Filed Dec 12, 2024

06/20/2025 E Effective immediately

Texas Legislature Online · Introduced · Senate Committee Report · Engrossed · House Committee Report · Enrolled

Data snapshot Oct 26, 2026 at 4:20 AM CDT. Grades, charges, quotes and corrections follow the published record.

Coauthors
Sponsors

House committee · Public Education · Committee vote 11 aye, 1 nay, 3 absent · Out of committee

Senate committee · Education K-16 · Committee vote 11 aye, 0 nay · Out of committee

Subjects

Education--Primary & Secondary--General

Education--Primary & Secondary--Other School Personnel

Education--Primary & Secondary--Teachers

Electronic Information Systems

Family--Child Protection

Labor--General

Minors--Health & Safety

Occupational Regulation--Other Trades & Professions

State Agencies, Boards & Commissions

CHILD ABUSE

SEXUAL MISCONDUCT

ADMINISTRATIVE HEARINGS, STATE OFFICE OF

EDUCATION AGENCY, TEXAS

EDUCATION, COMMISSIONER OF

EDUCATOR CERTIFICATION, STATE BOARD FOR

Text

The text as introduced · 466 words

89R1966 MEW-D

By: Bettencourt, et al.
S.B. No. 571

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the eligibility of certain contract employees to

provide services to a public school and access to the registry of

persons who are not eligible for employment at public schools.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Sections 22.0834(a) and (o), Education Code, are

amended to read as follows:

(a) This [ Except as provided by Subsection (a-1), this ]

subsection applies to a person who is not an applicant for or holder

of a certificate under Subchapter B, Chapter 21, and who is offered

employment by an entity or a subcontractor of an entity that

contracts with a school district, open-enrollment charter school,

or shared services arrangement to provide services, if[ :

[ (1) ] the employee or applicant has or will have

[ continuing ] duties related to the contracted services that require

the employee or applicant to be physically present at an

instructional facility [ ; and

[ (2) the employee or applicant has or will have direct

contact with students ].

(o) A school district, charter school, regional education

service center, commercial transportation company, education

shared services arrangement, or qualified school contractor,

contracting entity, or subcontracting entity may not permit an

employee to whom Subsection (a) applies to provide services at a

school if the employee :

(1) has been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor

offense that would prevent a person from being employed under

Section 22.085(a) ; or

(2) is identified as having engaged in misconduct

described by Section 22.093(c)(1)(A) or (B) using the interagency

reportable conduct search engine established under Chapter 810,

Health and Safety Code .

SECTION 2. Section 22.092(d), Education Code, is amended to

read as follows:

(d) The agency shall provide equivalent access to the

registry maintained under this section to:

(1) private schools;

(2) public schools; [ and ]

(3) nonprofit teacher organizations approved by the

commissioner for the purpose of participating in the tutoring

program established under Section 33.913 ; and

(4) entities and subcontractors of entities that

contract with a school district, open-enrollment charter school, or

shared services arrangement to provide services .

SECTION 3. The following provisions of the Education Code

are repealed:

(1) Sections 22.0834(a-1) and (l); and

(2) Section 22.0834(p)(2).

SECTION 4. Section 22.0834, Education Code, as amended by

this Act, applies only to a contract entered into on or after the

effective date of this Act.

SECTION 5. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives

a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as

provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this

Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this

Act takes effect September 1, 2025.