81R5626 CAE-D
By: Hochberg H.B. No. 828
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to a grant available to school districts to provide
services to students with disabilities.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 29, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 29.018 to read as follows:
Sec. 29.018. SPECIAL EDUCATION GRANT. (a) From funds
appropriated for the purposes of this section, federal funds, or
any other funds available, the commissioner shall make grants
available to school districts to assist districts in covering the
cost of educating students with disabilities.
(b) A school district is eligible to apply for a grant under
this section if:
(1) the district does not receive sufficient funds,
including state funds provided under Section 42.151 and federal
funds, for a student with disabilities to pay for the special
education services provided to the student; or
(2) the district does not receive sufficient funds,
including state funds provided under Section 42.151 and federal
funds, for all students with disabilities in the district to pay for
the special education services provided to the students.
(c) A school district that applies for a grant under this
section must provide the commissioner with a report comparing the
state and federal funds received by the district for students with
disabilities and the expenses incurred by the district in providing
special education services to students with disabilities.
(d) Expenses that may be included by a school district in
applying for a grant under this section include the cost of training
personnel to provide special education services to a student with
disabilities.
(e) A school district that receives a grant under this
section must educate students with disabilities in the least
restrictive environment that is appropriate to meet the student's
educational needs.
(f) The commissioner shall adopt rules as necessary to
administer this section.
SECTION 2. This Act applies beginning with the 2009-2010
school year.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2009.