84R8079 MK-D
By: Leach H.B. No. 1404
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the creation of a committee to evaluate special
education services in public schools.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 29, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 29.022 to read as follows:
Sec. 29.022. SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICES EVALUATION
COMMITTEE. (a) A committee is established under this section to
examine, review, and evaluate the provision of special education
services by public school districts in the state.
(b) The commissioner, in collaboration with the lieutenant
governor and the speaker of the house of representatives, shall
appoint members of the committee. The committee shall be composed
of:
(1) one member of the house of representatives;
(2) one member of the senate;
(3) one superintendent of a school district;
(4) one special education teacher;
(5) three parents of students who receive special
education services from a school district;
(6) one physician who is a doctor of medicine; and
(7) one attorney who specializes in education law.
(c) The commissioner, in collaboration with the lieutenant
governor and the speaker of the house of representatives, shall
designate a member of the committee to serve as presiding officer.
(d) The commissioner, in collaboration with the lieutenant
governor and the speaker of the house of representatives, shall
appoint the members of the committee not later than November 1,
2015.
(e) The presiding officer shall call the initial meeting of
the committee on or before December 1, 2015. The committee shall
meet at the times and places that the presiding officer determines
are appropriate. The committee shall adopt rules necessary to
fulfill the committee's duties under this section.
(f) Members of the committee serve without compensation.
(g) Chapter 2110, Government Code, does not apply to the
committee.
(h) The committee shall:
(1) evaluate the compliance of each public school
district with current laws and rules related to special education
services; and
(2) review current laws and rules related to special
education services in public schools and recommend changes or
improvements to the laws or rules.
(i) Not later than November 1, 2016, the committee shall
deliver a report to the governor, lieutenant governor, speaker of
the house of representatives, and appropriate committees of the
legislature that includes:
(1) a description of the activities of the committee;
(2) the findings and recommendations of the committee,
including any proposed policy and research recommendations; and
(3) any proposals for legislation or other matters the
committee considers appropriate.
(j) The committee is abolished and this section expires
December 1, 2016.
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, 2015.