Texas 2009 - 81st Regular

Texas Senate Bill SB1499 Compare Versions

Only one version of the bill is available at this time.

Old	New	Differences
1	1	81R9932 KKA-D
2	2	By: Van de Putte S.B. No. 1499
3	3
4	4
5	5	A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
6	6	AN ACT
7	7	relating to eligibility of certain children for public school
8	8	prekindergarten classes.
9	9	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
10	10	SECTION 1. Section 29.153, Education Code, is amended by
11	11	amending Subsections (a), (b), and (f) and adding Subsection (a-1)
12	12	to read as follows:
13	13	(a) In this section:
14	14	(1) "Child" includes a stepchild.
15	15	(2) "Parent" includes a stepparent.
16	16	(a-1) A district shall offer prekindergarten classes if the
17	17	district identifies 15 or more children who are eligible under
18	18	Subsection (b) and are at least four years of age. A school
19	19	district may offer prekindergarten classes if the district
20	20	identifies 15 or more eligible children who are at least three years
21	21	of age. A district may not charge tuition for a prekindergarten
22	22	class offered under this section.
23	23	(b) A child is eligible for enrollment in a prekindergarten
24	24	class under this section if the child is at least three years of age
25	25	and:
26	26	(1) is unable to speak and comprehend the English
27	27	language;
28	28	(2) is educationally disadvantaged;
29	29	(3) is a homeless child, as defined by 42 U.S.C.
30	30	Section 11434a, regardless of the residence of the child, of either
31	31	parent of the child, or of the child's guardian or other person
32	32	having lawful control of the child;
33	33	(4) is the child of an active duty member of the armed
34	34	forces of the United States, including the state military forces or
35	35	a reserve component of the armed forces, who is ordered to active
36	36	duty by proper authority;
37	37	(5) is the child of a member of the armed forces of the
38	38	United States, including the state military forces or a reserve
39	39	component of the armed forces, who was injured or killed while
40	40	serving on active duty; [or]
41	41	(6) is or ever has been in the conservatorship of the
42	42	Department of Family and Protective Services following an adversary
43	43	hearing held as provided by Section 262.201, Family Code; or
44	44	(7) is the child of a classroom teacher who teaches at
45	45	a school in which at least 99 percent of the students are
46	46	educationally disadvantaged.
47	47	(f) A child who is eligible for enrollment in a
48	48	prekindergarten class under Subsection (b)(4) or (5) remains
49	49	eligible for enrollment if the child's parent leaves the armed
50	50	forces, or is no longer on active duty, after the child begins a
51	51	prekindergarten class. A child who is eligible for enrollment in a
52	52	prekindergarten class under Subsection (b)(7) remains eligible for
53	53	enrollment if the child's parent ceases teaching at a school
54	54	described by Subsection (b)(7) after the child begins a
55	55	prekindergarten class.
56	56	SECTION 2. This Act applies beginning with the 2009-2010
57	57	school year.
58	58	SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
59	59	a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
60	60	provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
61	61	Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
62	62	Act takes effect September 1, 2009.