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.