By: Villarreal, Marquez, Patrick, Walle, H.B. No. 136
Ortiz, Jr., et al.
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to providing notification to parents of eligible children
of the availability of prekindergarten programs.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter E, Chapter 29, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 29.1534 to read as follows:
Sec. 29.1534. NOTIFICATION OF PREKINDERGARTEN PROGRAMS.
(a) In this section, "prekindergarten program" includes
prekindergarten programs provided by a private entity through a
partnership with the school district.
(b) The agency shall develop joint strategies with other
state agencies regarding methods to increase community awareness of
prekindergarten programs through programs that provide information
relating to public assistance programs.
(c) The agency may develop outreach materials for use by
school districts to increase community awareness of
prekindergarten programs.
(d) Each school district shall report annually to the agency
the strategies implemented by the school district to increase
community awareness of prekindergarten programs offered by the
district. The district shall report the information on a form
prescribed by the commissioner. A report required by this
subsection may be combined, at the discretion of the commissioner,
with another report that the district submits to the agency.
(e) Not later than the 90th day after the date the agency
receives a report from a school district as required by Subsection
(d), the agency shall post the report on the agency's Internet
website.
(f) Not later than April 1, 2010, the agency shall conduct a
study to identify effective methods to communicate to the parent of
an eligible child the availability of prekindergarten programs.
The study must include research on providing information regarding
prekindergarten programs through public, private, and nonprofit
institutions that provide assistance and support to families with
children eligible for prekindergarten programs. Not later than May
1, 2010, the agency shall make recommendations to school districts
based on the study regarding the most effective methods to increase
communication regarding the availability of prekindergarten
programs. This subsection expires June 1, 2010.
(g) Not later than December 1, 2010, the agency shall
prepare and deliver to the lieutenant governor, the speaker of the
house of representatives, and the presiding officer of each
legislative standing committee with primary jurisdiction over
primary and secondary education a report detailing strategies
developed under Subsection (b) to increase community awareness of
prekindergarten programs. This subsection expires January 1, 2011.
SECTION 2. 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.