AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION AS THE DEPARTMENT HEAD OF THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.

HB 5217 changes state law to explicitly name the Commissioner of Education as the official head of the Department of Education, replacing previous language that listed them among multiple potential department heads. The bill amends statutes to clarify that the Commissioner directly leads the department, removing prior references to the State Board of Education as its administrative arm. This change takes effect July 1, 2028, and directly affects the Commissioner of Education and the Department of Education's internal structure. The bill focuses on defining leadership roles without altering educational programs or funding.