By: Huberty, et al. (Senate Sponsor - Huffman) H.B. No. 357
(In the Senate - Received from the House April 24, 2017;
May 19, 2017, read first time and referred to Committee on State
Affairs; May 19, 2017, rereferred to Committee on Intergovernmental
Relations; May 22, 2017, reported favorably by the following vote:
Yeas 7, Nays 0; May 22, 2017, sent to printer.)
Click here to see the committee vote
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the eligibility of the children of certain first
responders for free prekindergarten programs in public schools.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 29.153(b), Education Code, is amended to
read as follows:
(b) A child is eligible for enrollment in a prekindergarten
class under this section if the child is at least three years of age
and:
(1) is unable to speak and comprehend the English
language;
(2) is educationally disadvantaged;
(3) is a homeless child, as defined by 42 U.S.C.
Section 11434a, regardless of the residence of the child, of either
parent of the child, or of the child's guardian or other person
having lawful control of the child;
(4) is the child of an active duty member of the armed
forces of the United States, including the state military forces or
a reserve component of the armed forces, who is ordered to active
duty by proper authority;
(5) is the child of a member of the armed forces of the
United States, including the state military forces or a reserve
component of the armed forces, who was injured or killed while
serving on active duty; [or]
(6) is or ever has been in the conservatorship of the
Department of Family and Protective Services following an adversary
hearing held as provided by Section 262.201, Family Code; or
(7) is the child of a person eligible for the Star of
Texas Award as:
(A) a peace officer under Section 3106.002,
Government Code;
(B) a firefighter under Section 3106.003,
Government Code; or
(C) an emergency medical first responder under
Section 3106.004, Government Code.
SECTION 2. This Act applies beginning with the 2017-2018
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, 2017.
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