Texas House Bill HB231

Texas 2019 - 86th Regular

Caption

Relating to transportation services for homeless students.

Impact

The proposed legislation is expected to have a positive effect on the educational access of homeless students in Texas. By allowing school districts to receive funding to support special transportation services, the bill aims to alleviate some of the hardships these students face. The legislation is particularly significant as it addresses an often-overlooked aspect of education: the ability of homeless students to reach school consistently. The state’s allocation for these services could improve overall attendance and educational outcomes for these students.

Summary

House Bill 231 aims to improve transportation services specifically for homeless students and eligible special education students in Texas. The bill amends the Education Code to ensure that school districts or counties providing special transportation services are entitled to state allocation based on previous years' cost-per-mile data. This amendment seeks to enable local education agencies to better support vulnerable populations by addressing the unique transportation needs of homeless students, ensuring they can access education without barriers related to transportation.

Contention

While the bill is focused on providing necessary support, there may be discussions surrounding the implementation of the amended funding strategy. Critics may raise concerns about the adequacy of the funding levels, the challenges of accurately determining the eligibility of students, and the logistical challenges of coordinating transportation. Furthermore, ensuring that school districts are effectively using the provided funds for their intended purpose could lead to further scrutiny and recommendations during the bill's implementation phase.