Latest news with #TexasGovernmentCode
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Yahoo
SAPD officer arrested for failing to make child abuse report
SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage) — A San Angelo Police Department officer was recently arrested for allegedly failing to 'meet the mandated reporting standards related to suspected child abuse,' according to the SAPD. The SAPD stated that 'a supervisor with the San Angelo Police Department identified a concerning incident while reviewing body camera footage' on March 26, with the footage allegedly revealing that an officer, identified as Rodrigo Hernandez, 'had failed to meet the mandated reporting standards related to suspected child abuse.' An internal investigation into the incident was 'immediately initiated.' The Tom Green County Sheriff's Office was also requested to conduct a criminal investigation 'due to the serious nature of the allegation — specifically, gross negligence in failing to report suspected child abuse.' Hernandez was 'relieved of duty and placed on administrative leave' once it was determined that his alleged actions 'constituted a potential criminal offense.' SAPD officer resigns after 'cleared' of wrongdoing in Lake View High School investigation 'Under the Texas Family Code, professionals — including law enforcement officers — who have reasonable cause to believe that a child has been abused are legally required to report that suspicion to Child Protective Services,' the SAPD said. 'In this case, the relevant statute, 'Knowingly Fail to Make Required Child Abuse Report,' is classified as a Class A Misdemeanor.' TGSO submitted its findings to the Tom Green County Attorney's Office following the conclusion of its investigation, resulting in a criminal complaint being filed on May 14. The SAPD said that 'a warrant was subsequently issued, and Officer Hernandez voluntarily surrendered himself to authorities.' The department said that Hernandez 'has now been placed on unpaid temporary suspension' in accordance with Texas Government Code 154.056. 'This administrative action is not intended to reflect an opinion on the merits of the criminal complaint,' the SAPD said. The SAPD stated that its internal investigation, 'which had been paused to allow for the criminal investigation to proceed,' has been resumed. 'Further updates will be provided as appropriate,' the SAPD said. SAPD Police Chief Travis Griffith provided this information at a press conference held on May 16, during which he also shared that an update regarding an investigation into a school resource officer at Lake View High School. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Texas House passes two bills concerning gender, sex; time running out on other bills
The Brief More than 400 House bills still on the calendar State House chamber debated bills concerning gender identity House passed SB 1257, HB 229, and HB 4 on Monday AUSTIN, Texas - State lawmakers returned to work Monday with more than 400 House bills on the calendar and a deadline. Despite that long list, the state House chamber got bogged down in debates over gender identity. Both debates consumed the morning and early afternoon hours. What we know House Bill 229, filed by state Rep. Ellen Troxclair (R-Lakeway), would amend the Texas Government Code to define terms like boy and girl, male and female, based on biological sex. The bill also requires governmental entities that collect vital statistical information to identify each individual as either male or female. HB 229, which Troxclair called the "Women's Bill of Rights", passed the House by a vote of 87 to 56, with one person voting present and six representatives absent. "A bill that we shouldn't have to pass in 2025," said Troxclair. What they're saying "By defining what a woman is today, we are protecting their basic rights to privacy, safety, and fairness," said Troxclair. House Democrats, like state Rep. Jessica Gonzalez (D-Dallas), argued the bill will not protect but will discriminate. "Amongst the legislature, it is clear there is no way this body is qualified to define gender into state law," said Gonzalez. What we know Senate Bill 1257, filed by state Sen. Bryan Hughes (R-Mineola), mandates insurance companies to cover any adverse medical side effects caused by a sex change procedure and also pay for those who want to detransition. SB 1257 passed on Monday by 87 to 58 with one present vote and four absent. What we know A major education reform bill, HB 4, did get on the floor Monday afternoon. The legislation would replace the STAAR tests by requiring less standardized testing, making them shorter and with more of a focus on the earlier grade levels. The bill passed with only one no vote. What's next Long debates and limited voting typically happen in the final days of a regular session. It's the beginning of the end for a lot of bills and questions remain about two of the biggest: bail reform and education funding. Either could trigger legislative overtime, a familiar crisis for lawmakers like state Rep. Trey Martinez Fischer (D-San Antonio). "I think none of us want to be around with each other here. I think we all want to go home on June 2nd," said Martinez Fischer House members are waiting for the Senate to move on HB 2, the education funding plan. The legislation reportedly was to move in tandem with school choice, which Gov. Greg Abbott has already signed. "I do not feel bamboozled, but the devil is always in the details. It's one of these trust but verify moments, and it's my understanding that we will break through on an education finance piece. The House worked pretty hard on it, spent $8 billion, and who knows, it could be even more at the end of the day, but we will have to see what the Senate does," said Martinez Fischer. This memo from House Democrat Caucus chairman Gene Wu (D-Houston) noted the Senate has had HB 2 for nearly a month. Wu suggested Democrats should take a similar pace with the remaining Republican priority bills. The deadline for second reading votes is Thursday and Wu has called on Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick to restore balance as Democrats consider what level of cooperation they will offer on the House floor. The Source Information in this report comes from reporting/interviews by FOX 7 Austin's chief political reporter Rudy Koski.
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Clay County disaster declaration extended due to severe weather
CLAY COUNTY (KFDX/KJTL) — On Monday, May 5, Clay County Judge Mike Campbell extended his disaster declaration issued last week through June 3. Severe weather has impacted different counties all across Texoma and since April 1 of this year, the National Weather Service has issued 46 warnings which include thunderstorms, tornado, and flash flood warnings. DEVELOPING: Track flood conditions across Texoma According to a Facebook post made by Campbell on Monday, May 5, the Commissioners Court extended the declaration until June 3. The reason for this extension is due to washed-out county roads, failed culverts, and gravel that have now washed into a creek or ditch. Campbell said road crews are working to make roads drivable, blocking dangerous roads and to evaluate how to prevent damages from happening again. According to the Texas Government Code, they allow county judges to declare an emergency when events like this happen. Campbell said the county budgets for emergencies although when events like this arise, the budget is just not enough, and must resort to declaring an emergency. He also explained that last year FEMA and TDEM sent representatives to evaluate the situation and provided monetary and technical assistance. Based on the evaluation, Campbell said the county could receive hundreds or thousands of dollars, and although it is a long process due to hours of submitting reports, the commissioners wonder if it is worth it. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- Yahoo
Report accuses former Ann Richards principal, executive director of violating school policy
The Brief New documents acquired by FOX 7 detail the investigation into leadership at the Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders. Austin ISD determined multiple staff members displayed a "consistent pattern of coordinated exclusion." Principal Nicole Griffith resigned suddenly in March. AUSTIN, Texas - More details surrounding the sudden resignation of the principal of the Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders have emerged. FOX 7 Austin has received an investigative report from Austin ISD's Office of Professional Standards on what potentially led to Principal Nicole Griffith's resignation through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request. In the report, investigators recommended to AISD that Griffith and Dr. Stacie Holiday, an executive director at Austin ISD, be terminated for violating district policy and state and federal law. The documents detail actions taken by multiple staff members that the district determined excluded a student who was attempting to re-enroll in the school after being withdrawn. A third staff member was recommended to receive a written warning for her own violations. The backstory Nicole Griffith had been the principal at the Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders from 2022 until late March when the district notified families in an email that she had resigned from Austin ISD. The school did not explain why this decision was made with fewer than two months left in the school year. Griffith's employment with the district extends nearly two decades, including her most recent role as principal at McCallum High School before she started working at the Ann Richards School. Griffith's father later said at an open meeting that she had rescinded her resignation. Currently, Dr. Catheryn Mitchell is the interim principal and, according to the district, the search for a permanent replacement will begin later this spring. What we know FOX 7 Austin has received a report of an investigation into a situation involving a student at the Ann Richards School through a FOIA request. The report was redacted to protect the identity of the student in accordance with the Texas Government Code and FERPA. The investigation "sought to determine whether any Austin ISD employees engaged in conduct that violated district policy" in relation to the enrollment status of the student, says the report. The report details interviews with multiple school and district staff, including Griffith, an assistant superintendent, directors and coordinators with student enrollment and special education, and staff with Austin ISD PD. The report says that the investigation revealed "a series of missed opportunities" that allowed "a vulnerable student to fall through the cracks." What they're saying The investigation report found multiple failures regarding the student's withdrawal and delayed re-enrollment, specifically citing inadequate communication with the student's parent, lack of formal or informal written notification of the withdrawal, lack of disability consideration, failure to follow truancy and district procedures, and communication and transparency concerns. Specific violations outlined in the report fell under district policy, but also the Texas Education Code, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and the Free Appropriate Public Education or FAPE, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. The report also says administrators "explicitly characterized the student and parent as potential safety threats," even discussing a potential criminal trespass warning on the student. Holiday is accused of explicitly blocking the student's re-enrollment, telling Griffith, "You will not enroll the student," as well as pushing a "violent narrative" about the student to Austin ISD police and allowing others to treat the student's return as trespassing despite the student being issued a schedule and being told to return to campus. Griffith is accused of approving the student's withdrawal without ensuring the required procedures were followed, including no formal notice to the parent and no special education referral. She is also accused of not challenging directives from Holiday even when they "contradicted district policy or equitable access expectations" or informing the parent when AISD police was involved. The third employee named in the report was recommended for a written warning on the basis that she did not make a "good faith effort" to notify the parent of the withdrawal or other issues, did not take steps to clarify the student's enrollment status and did not challenge narratives framing the student as a "safety concern". Investigators say she is being given a formal warning because she did not direct any "exclusionary actions or mislead others" but her inaction contributed to the student's withdrawal and delayed re-enrollment. What we don't know The status of Griffith's employment with the school is currently unknown as she rescinded her resignation, and she is still listed as principal on the school's website. The status of Holiday's employment is also currently unknown. The Source Information in this report comes from records provided through a Freedom of Information Act request by FOX 7 Austin and previous reporting by FOX 7 Austin.
Yahoo
28-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Rep. Smithee introduces bill to transfer management of PPHM
A new bill filed in the Texas Legislature seeks to transfer management of the Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum (PPHM) in Canyon from West Texas A&M University to the Texas Historical Commission (THC), aiming to strengthen preservation and operation of one of the state's key cultural institutions. Filed as an amendment to the Texas Government Code, HB 5554, introduced by State Rep. John Smithee (R-Amarillo), would authorize the THC to contract with the Panhandle-Plains Historical Society, which owns the museum's collection, for day-to-day management. The bill also allows the THC to enter into agreements with West Texas A&M University or The Texas A&M University System for the maintenance, renovation, and expansion of the museum facilities on the university's campus. A key provision of the bill is the establishment of the Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum Fund, a dedicated source of funding outside the state treasury. This fund would be supported through admissions, gift shop sales, and donations, allowing the THC to use the funds for operational expenses, repairs, and growth without the need for legislative approval. If the bill is passed, museum staff currently employed by West Texas A&M would transition to the THC by Sept. 1, 2025. For the bill to take effect immediately, it must pass with a two-thirds majority vote in both the Texas House and Senate. Otherwise, it would go into effect on the specified date. The bill is aimed at securing the future of the Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum, ensuring it remains a vital part of Texas' cultural heritage. Supporters of the measure argue that transferring management to the Texas Historical Commission would provide the focused expertise needed to preserve the museum's collection and address its long-term operational needs. This legislative effort follows the recent closure of the museum after a State Fire Marshal report highlighted critical fire and life safety concerns. According to West Texas A&M, the museum shut its doors indefinitely to address issues such as sprinkler system deficiencies, dead-end hallways, and inadequate exits. The total cost of the required renovations is estimated at nearly $100 million. State Sen. Kevin Sparks (R-Midland) has filed an identical companion bill in the Senate, and both bills will be reviewed in the coming months. This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Texas bills filed on Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum Management
