HBA-MPM H.B. 2078 76(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 2078 By: Hardcastle Public Education 4/20/1999 Introduced BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Current law does not address school districts' policies with respect to student absences to participate in extracurricular activities. H.B. 1738 authorizes the board of trustees of a school district to establish a policy establishing the number of times a student may be absent from class to participate in certain extracurricular activities. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter D, Chapter 33, Education Code, by adding Section 33.0811, as follows: Sec. 33.0811. SCHOOL DISTRICT POLICY ON ABSENCES TO PARTICIPATE IN EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES. (a) Authorizes the board of trustees (board) of a school district (district) to adopt a policy establishing the number of times a student who is otherwise eligible to participate in an extracurricular activity under Section 33.081 (Extracurricular Activities), Education Code, may be absent from class to participate in that activity, which is sponsored or sanctioned by the district or the University Interscholastic League or by an organization sanctioned by resolution of the board. Makes an exception under Section 33.081(a), which requires the State Board of Education, by rule, to limit participation in and practice for extracurricular activities during the school day and the school week, and that the rules must, to the extent possible, preserve the school day for academic activities without interruption for extracurricular activities. Further states that in scheduling those activities and practices, a district must comply with the rules of the board. (b) Provides that a policy adopted by the board under this section prevails over a conflicting policy adopted under Section 33.081, Education Code, and must permit a student at least 10 absences during the school year. SECTION 2.Emergency clause. Effective date: upon passage.