By: Johnson of Harris H.B. No. 315
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to a grant available to school districts to provide
services to students residing in care and treatment facilities and
residential placement facilities.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 29, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 29.0181 to read as follows:
Sec. 29.0181. GRANT PROGRAM TO EDUCATE STUDENTS RESIDING IN
CARE AND TREATMENT FACILITIES. (a) This section applies to a
student residing in a care and treatment facility, other than a
state school, or residential placement facility whose parent or
person standing in parental relation to the student does not reside
in the school district providing education services to the student.
(b) 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
residing in care and treatment facilities or residential placement
facilities.
(c) 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 Sections 42.151 and 42.152,
and federal funds, for a student residing in a care and treatment
facility or residential placement facility to pay for the education
services provided to the student; or
(2) the district does not receive sufficient funds,
including state funds provided under Sections 42.151 and 42.152,
and federal funds, for all students in the district residing in care
and treatment facilities or residential placement facilities to pay
for the education services provided to the students.
(d) 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
residing in care and treatment facilities and residential placement
facilities with the expenses incurred by the district in providing
education services to students residing in care and treatment
facilities and residential placement facilities.
(e) 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 education services to a student residing in a
care and treatment facility or a residential placement facility.
(f) A school district that receives a grant under this
section must educate students residing in care and treatment
facilities and residential placement facilities in the least
restrictive environment that is appropriate to meet the student's
educational needs.
(g) The commissioner shall adopt rules as necessary to
administer this section.
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, 2017.