HBA-MPM S.B. 476 76(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisS.B. 476
By: Luna
Public Education
4/18/1999
Engrossed



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Current law does not include special education students in the group of
students included in special needs populations.  Advocacy groups have been
told that the Texas Education Agency (TEA) would assume that special
education is included in special needs populations, but since the law does
not specifically state that they are included, TEA cannot require districts
to include special education students in special needs populations.  S.B.
476 includes special education students in certain public education
decisions to improve services to the students and to ensure that they are
included in the group of students identified as special needs populations. 

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 Section 8.051(d), Education Code, as follows:

(5)  Includes among core services maintained by each educational service
center for purchase by school districts (district) and campuses assistance
specifically designed for a district that is considered out of compliance
with state or federal special education requirements, based on the agency's
most recent compliance review of the district's special education programs.
Makes a conforming change.  Redesignates existing Subdivision (5) to (6). 

SECTION 2.  Amends Section 11.252(a), Education Code, to include students
in special education programs under Subchapter A (Special Education
Program), Chapter 29 (Educational Programs), Education Code, among those
addressed in a comprehensive needs assessment for which a district's
improvement plan must include provisions.  Makes a conforming change. 

SECTION 3.  Amends Section 11.253(c) and (d), Education Code, to make
conforming changes. 

SECTION 4.  Makes this Act applicable beginning with the 1999-2000 school
year. 

SECTION 5.Emergency clause.
  Effective date: upon passage.