Texas House Bill HB4546

Texas 2019 - 86th Regular

Caption

Relating to the applicability of certain requirements and restrictions on funding for before-school and after-school programs established by school districts.

Impact

By amending the Education Code, HB4546 directly influences how school districts can implement before-school and after-school programs. With this legislative change, school districts are no longer allowed to utilize Foundation School Program funds for establishing or managing these programs. This shift could lead to a reevaluation of funding strategies and resource allocations within school districts, as they now need to consider alternate sources of funding for child-care services.

Summary

House Bill 4546 addresses the requirements and restrictions on funding for before-school and after-school programs established by school districts in Texas. Under this bill, school districts are mandated to conduct a request for proposals procurement process to determine the viability of contracting with licensed child-care facilities or other exempt programs to run these programs. This approach is aimed at ensuring that districts identify the most beneficial options for their before-school and after-school programming needs.

Contention

One of the notable points of contention surrounding HB4546 may stem from the implications it has on the availability of proper funding and the autonomy of school districts to tailor programs to their specific needs. Critics might argue that by prohibiting the use of foundational funding for these programs, the bill could inadvertently limit access to necessary after-school care for students, particularly those who rely on these services due to parental work commitments. Supporters, on the other hand, may emphasize the importance of ensuring that school districts thoroughly vet their options and provide the best quality programs through a competitive procurement process.