Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Texas House Bill HB5271

Filed

3/14/25

Out of House Committee

Voted on by House

Out of Senate Committee

Voted on by Senate

Governor Action

Bill Becomes Law

Caption

Relating to the screening of, services for, and educational programs for children with visual impairments; authorizing an administrative penalty.

Impact

The enactment of HB 5271 is expected to significantly enhance the educational landscape for children with visual impairments across the state of Texas. By requiring standardized vision screenings at various stages of early childhood and establishing a statewide vision database, the bill promotes timely identification and early intervention. Additionally, the bill provides a framework for the development of educational resources and increased training for healthcare providers and educators tasked with identifying visual impairment signs, thereby fostering a more informed community around visual health for children.

Summary

House Bill 5271, also known as Zach's Law, aims to improve the screening, identification, and educational support for children with visual impairments in Texas. The bill mandates that school districts and open-enrollment charter schools offer specific programs for children identified with visual impairments, ensuring they receive appropriate early intervention services and instruction tailored to their needs. This initiative emphasizes an expanded core curriculum that includes orientation, mobility, social skills, and independent living skills among other educational components vital for children affected by visual impairments.

Contention

While HB 5271 garners support for its intention to streamline interventions and improve educational outcomes, some concern arises regarding the implementation of such extensive programs. Debate may focus on the efficacy of the proposed administrative penalties for non-compliance among educational institutions and healthcare providers. Moreover, questions regarding the funding and resources necessary for the successful execution of these programs may be raised, particularly within local education agencies already facing budget constraints. Ensuring equity and accessibility of services, as specified in the bill, will be critical points of contention moving forward.

Texas Constitutional Statutes Affected

Education Code

Chapter 29. Educational Programs
- Section: New Section

Latest TX HB5271 Activity

View All Events: TX 2025 - 89th Regular HB5271

Companion Bills

TX SB2735

Identical Relating to the screening of, services for, and educational programs for children with visual impairments; authorizing an administrative penalty.

Previously Filed As

TX HB272

Relating to the terminology used to refer to certain disabilities and to an individualized education team for purposes of determining a student's eligibility for special education services and providing those services in public schools.

TX SB1474

Relating to special education in public schools, including the special education allotment under the Foundation School Program, an education savings account program for certain children with disabilities, and a grant program to reimburse public schools for the cost of certain employer contributions for retirees of the Teacher Retirement System of Texas employed to teach or provide services related to special education.

TX HB950

Relating to a student's eligibility for special education services provided by a school district, including services for dyslexia and related disorders.

TX SB2487

Relating to a student's eligibility for special education services provided by a school district, including services for dyslexia and related disorders.

TX HB1369

Relating to a student's eligibility for special education services provided by a school district, including services for dyslexia and related disorders.

TX HB3928

Relating to dyslexia evaluations and services for public school students, the provision of services for students with dyslexia and related disorders, and certain parental notice regarding the rights of parents of public school students with disabilities.

TX HB3781

TX SB1539

Relating to the terminology used to refer to an individualized education program team.

TX HB5127

Relating to public higher education reform; authorizing administrative penalties.

TX HB1

Relating to primary and secondary education, including the certification, compensation, and health coverage of certain public school employees, the public school finance system, special education in public schools, the establishment of an education savings account program, measures to support the education of public school students that include certain educational grant programs, reading instruction, and early childhood education, the provision of virtual education, and public school accountability.

Similar Bills

TX SB2735

Relating to the screening of, services for, and educational programs for children with visual impairments; authorizing an administrative penalty.

TX HB3629

Relating to abolishing the Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services and transferring its powers and duties to the Department of Aging and Disability Services and the Department of State Health Services.

HI HB2149

Relating To Newborn Hearing Screening And Diagnosis.

HI SB3117

Relating To Newborn Hearing Screening And Diagnosis.

NV SB257

Revises provisions relating to autism. (BDR 38-106)

TX HB914

Relating to the administration of services provided by the Department of Family and Protective Services, including foster care, child protective, and prevention and early intervention services.

TX SB11

Relating to the provision of child protective services and other health and human services by certain state agencies or under contract with a state agency, including foster care, child protective, relative and kinship caregiver support, prevention and early intervention health care, and adoption services.

CA AB1644

Medi-Cal: medically supportive food and nutrition services.