H.B. No. 728 AN ACT relating to the establishment by the State Board of Education of an advanced computer science program for high school students. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 28, Education Code, is amended by adding Section 28.018 to read as follows: Sec. 28.018. ADVANCED COMPUTER SCIENCE PROGRAM. (a) The State Board of Education by rule shall develop and implement a program under which: (1) students in participating school districts may comply with the curriculum requirements for an advanced mathematics credit under Section 28.025(b-1)(2) or an advanced science credit under Section 28.025(b-1)(3) by successfully completing an advanced computer science course; and (2) participating school districts implement rigorous standards, as developed by the State Board of Education, for advanced computer science courses that are focused on the creation and use of software and computing technologies. (b) The commissioner shall adopt rules as necessary to administer this section. SECTION 2. The State Board of Education shall establish the program under Section 28.018, Education Code, as added by this Act, not later than September 1, 2018, for implementation during the 2018-2019 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. ______________________________ ______________________________ President of the Senate Speaker of the House I certify that H.B. No. 728 was passed by the House on April 20, 2017, by the following vote: Yeas 144, Nays 0, 1 present, not voting. ______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House I certify that H.B. No. 728 was passed by the Senate on May 15, 2017, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0. ______________________________ Secretary of the Senate APPROVED: _____________________ Date _____________________ Governor