81R1851 PAM-D
By: Maldonado H.B. No. 1332
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to responsibility for public school textbooks and
technological equipment and to failure by students to return
textbooks or technological equipment.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 31.104(d), Education Code, is amended to
read as follows:
(d) Each student, or the student's parent or guardian, is
responsible for each textbook, including an electronic textbook,
and all technological equipment not returned by the student. A
student who fails to return all textbooks, including electronic
textbooks, and technological equipment forfeits the right to free
textbooks, including electronic textbooks, and technological
equipment until each textbook, including an electronic textbook,
and all technological equipment previously issued but not returned
is paid for by the student, parent, or guardian. As provided by
policy of the board of trustees or governing body, a school district
or open-enrollment charter school may waive or reduce the payment
requirement if the student is from a low-income family. The
district or school shall allow the student to use textbooks,
including electronic textbooks, and technological equipment at
school during each school day. If a textbook, including an
electronic textbook, or technological equipment is not returned or
paid for, the district or school may withhold the student's
records. A district or school may not, under this subsection,
prevent a student from graduating, participating in a graduation
ceremony, or receiving a diploma.
SECTION 2. This Act applies beginning with the 2009-2010
school year.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2009.