HBA-JEK H.B. 605 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 605
By: George
Public Education
4/16/2001
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Current law requires a school district to offer free prekindergarten
classes if the district identifies 15 or more children who are at least
three years of age and are unable to speak English, educationally
disadvantaged, or homeless. In April 2000, the attorney general of Texas
concluded that school districts may not charge prekindergarten tuition,
even for a student who is able to speak English, is not educationally
disadvantaged, and is not homeless.  Charging such students tuition would
help districts meet the cost of providing prekindergarten instruction to
more students.  House Bill 605 authorizes school districts to charge
tuition for students who are able to speak English, are not educationally
disadvantaged, and are not homeless.  

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 605 amends the Education Code to authorize a school district to
offer tuition-supported prekindergarten classes to children who are not
considered disadvantaged and who are at least three years of age on
September 1.  The bill prohibits a school district from charging a tuition
rate higher than the amount necessary to cover the program's costs.  The
bill also prohibits a district from charging tuition for prekindergarten
classes offered to children who are educationally disadvantaged, unable to
speak or comprehend English, or homeless. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act
takes effect September 1, 2001. The Act applies beginning with the
2001-2002 school year.