HBA-TBM, CCH H.B. 1276 77(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 1276
By: Crownover, Myra
Public Education
7/3/2001
Enrolled



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

State law requires a parent enrolling a child in school to present legal
documentation of the child's identity. Schools use a student's legal name
in attendance, immunization, and other records.  Prior to the 77th
Legislature, sometimes a student or parent would request that a student be
identified by a name other than the student's legal name.  As a result,
schools may have become embroiled in family disputes that do not relate to
educating children.  House Bill 1276 requires a student's legal surname to
be used in the classroom.   

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. 

ANALYSIS

House Bill 1276 amends the Education Code to provide that in each public
school a student must be identified by the student's legal surname as that
name appears on the student's birth certificate or other document suitable
as proof of the student's identity, or in a court order changing the
student's name. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2001.  This Act applies beginning with the 2001-2002 school
year.