H.B. No. 1559
AN ACT
relating to public school Internet website information concerning
local programs and services available to assist homeless students.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter Z, Chapter 33, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 33.906 to read as follows:
Sec. 33.906. WEBSITE INFORMATION CONCERNING LOCAL PROGRAMS
AND SERVICES AVAILABLE TO ASSIST HOMELESS STUDENTS. (a) Except as
provided by Subsection (e), each school that maintains an Internet
website shall post on the website information regarding local
programs and services, including charitable programs and services,
available to assist homeless students.
(b) A school to which Subsection (a) applies shall make a
good faith effort to compile information described by that
subsection and shall post the information compiled in a format and
style that is easily understandable by students or parents, as
appropriate based on the grade levels the school offers.
(c) A representative of a local program or service available
to assist homeless students may request to have information
concerning the program or service posted on a school's website. A
school may determine the information that is posted on the school's
website and is not required to post information as requested by the
representative.
(d) A school district is not liable for any harm to a student
that results in connection with a local program or service referred
to on the website of a district school as provided by this section.
(e) This section does not apply to a school within a school
district that:
(1) has an enrollment of fewer than 3,000 students;
and
(2) is primarily located in a county with a population
of less than 50,000.
(f) This section expires September 1, 2025.
SECTION 2. This Act applies beginning with the 2015-2016
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, 2015.
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 1559 was passed by the House on May
12, 2015, by the following vote: Yeas 137, Nays 7, 2 present, not
voting; that the House refused to concur in Senate amendments to
H.B. No. 1559 on May 28, 2015, and requested the appointment of a
conference committee to consider the differences between the two
houses; and that the House adopted the conference committee report
on H.B. No. 1559 on May 31, 2015, by the following vote: Yeas 138,
Nays 6, 2 present, not voting.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 1559 was passed by the Senate, with
amendments, on May 26, 2015, by the following vote: Yeas 27, Nays
4; at the request of the House, the Senate appointed a conference
committee to consider the differences between the two houses; and
that the Senate adopted the conference committee report on H.B. No.
1559 on May 31, 2015, by the following vote: Yeas 29, Nays 2.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
APPROVED: __________________
Date
__________________
Governor