Senate Bill 12 Annual Compliance Certification

Beginning with the 2026-2027 school year, school districts and open-enrollment charter schools are required to submit a board-approved certification of compliance with certain laws to the Texas Education Agency (TEA). The certification is due no later than September 30 of each year, starting in 2026.

TEA sent a To the Administrator Addressed communication on May 14, 2026, providing an overview of the required process, submission instructions, a compliance certification template, and contact information for questions regarding this obligation. While the deadline for submission is September 30, the portal is now open. Once an organization has prepared its certification of compliance and obtained board approval, it may be submitted.

The certification must include a description of policies and procedures that provide for the appropriate discipline of employees or contractors who engage in diversity, equity, and inclusion activities or who violate prohibitions on discussing controversial issues in the classroom. Districts must provide the policies and procedures to employees and contractors and describe how employees and contractors were notified.

TASB Policy Service has included these required provisions in policy updates, and TASB HR Services included them in the model employee handbook. TASB Policy Service sent a Policy Alert to superintendents and district policy contacts on May 28, 2026, with guidance on specific policy changes to assist with completing the compliance certification. Other documents to review for compliance include student handbooks, purchasing manuals, administrative regulations, and other procedural guidelines used in the operation of district business.

Beyond the required certification of compliance, HR staff may want to highlight these policies and procedures in their yearly staff HR updates as employees return for the start of the new school year. Bringing attention to Texas Education Code (TEC) 28.0022 and the significant list of prohibitions found in this statute would be a proactive approach to ensure employees have a clear understanding of expectations and will not be caught off guard if an issue were to arise about instruction.

If you have any questions about completing the annual certification of compliance, contact TASB Legal Services at (800) 580-5345 or legal@tasb.org.