85R7633 MK-D
By: Perry S.B. No. 1210
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the creation of an advisory committee to review special
education programs available 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 29.0061 to read as follows:
Sec. 29.0061. SPECIAL EDUCATION PROGRAM REVIEW ADVISORY
COMMITTEE. (a) In this section, "committee" means the special
education program review advisory committee established under this
section.
(b) The special education program review advisory committee
is established under this section to review special education
services and procedures in public schools.
(c) The committee is composed of 12 members, appointed as
follows:
(1) four members appointed by the governor;
(2) four members appointed by the lieutenant governor;
and
(3) four members appointed by the speaker of the house
of representatives.
(d) In making appointments under Subsection (c), the
governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker of the house of
representatives shall coordinate to ensure the committee includes
at least two members who are related to a child who receives special
education services. The committee must also include stakeholders
with relevant experience with children who receive special
education services.
(e) The governor shall designate the presiding officer of
the committee.
(f) Members of the committee shall be appointed not later
than October 1, 2017.
(g) The committee must meet at least four times at the call
of the presiding officer. Committee members may participate
remotely in a committee meeting through a telephone conference
call.
(h) The agency shall provide administrative support to the
committee.
(i) The committee shall conduct a review of:
(1) the procedure by which a child gains access to
special education programs;
(2) the admission, review, and dismissal committee
process;
(3) agency procedures for handling complaints
regarding special education programs;
(4) agency training and resources related to the
education of children who have a traumatic brain injury; and
(5) the required qualifications for a teacher's aide
that is assigned to a special education program.
(j) Not later than September 1, 2018, the committee shall
submit to the governor, the lieutenant governor, and each member of
the legislature a report that includes:
(1) a description of the activities of the committee;
(2) the committee's findings in the review under
Subsection (i); and
(3) recommendations for improvements to special
education programs in public schools.
(k) The committee is abolished and this section expires on
December 1, 2018.
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.