HBA-TBM H.B. 2703 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 2703
By: Reyna, Arthur
Public Education
4/12/2001
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Many children in Texas have learning, physical, emotional, or psychological
disabilities that hinder their ability to succeed in school.  Without a
professional assessment or evaluation, a child with disabilities may not
receive services for which the child may qualify.  Low-income parents may
not be able to provide for such an evaluation.  House Bill 2703 provides
grants to school districts to support special education advocacy programs
and provide special education advocates for low-income families with
children who meet or are likely to meet the special education eligibility
requirements.   

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 2703 amends the Education Code to require the Texas Education
Agency (TEA) to make grants from funds appropriated for that purpose to
school districts for special education advocacy programs (advocacy
programs) to assist low-income families that have a child who is or may be
eligible for the district's special education program.  The bill authorizes
a district that receives a grant to contract with a nonprofit organization
to establish and operate the district's advocacy program.  The bill sets
forth provisions regarding operation of an advocacy program.  The bill
requires a special education advocate (advocate) to be appointed for each
low-income family that has a child who is or is likely to be eligible for
the district's special education program and sets forth provisions
regarding the advocate's duties.   

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2001.