86R4403 JES-F
By: Taylor S.B. No. 1452
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to designation of autism innovation zones by the
commissioner of education.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 29, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 29.028 to read as follows:
Sec. 29.028. AUTISM INNOVATION ZONES. (a) The
commissioner may:
(1) on application of a school district or
open-enrollment charter school, designate a campus of the district
or school as an autism innovation zone; and
(2) from funds appropriated or donated for purposes of
this section, award a grant to support implementation of innovative
instruction to students with autism at the campus in accordance
with this section.
(a-1) The total amount of grants awarded under this section
during the state fiscal biennium ending August 31, 2021, may not
exceed $10 million. This subsection expires December 1, 2021.
(b) A campus designated as an autism innovation zone must:
(1) implement with fidelity an innovative
instructional program for students with autism approved by the
commissioner for purposes of this section that incorporates the
measurable annual goals contained in the students' individualized
education programs developed under Section 29.005;
(2) comply with objectives, metrics, and other autism
innovation zone requirements imposed by the commissioner through
rules adopted under Subsection (g); and
(3) provide all data relating to the autism innovation
zone requested by the agency.
(c) A campus designated as an autism innovation zone is not
subject to interventions under the state accountability system
described by Section 39A.101(a) or 39A.111 for the first two years
of the designation, provided that the campus implements the
instructional program with fidelity and complies with each autism
innovation zone requirement to the satisfaction of the
commissioner. The period that a campus is exempt from
interventions as provided by this subsection is not:
(1) included in calculating consecutive school years
under Section 39A.101(a) or 39A.111; or
(2) considered a break in consecutive school years of
unacceptable ratings for purposes of determining the need for
intervention under Section 39A.101(a) or 39A.111.
(d) The commissioner may revoke designation of a campus as
an autism innovation zone and suspend associated grant funding if
the commissioner determines that the campus has failed to implement
the instructional program with fidelity or comply with any
requirement imposed under this section.
(e) A school district or open-enrollment charter school may
use a pay for success program approved by the commissioner under
Section 44.904 to pay costs associated with designation of a campus
as an autism innovation zone.
(f) The commissioner may accept gifts, grants, or donations
from any public or private source for purposes of this section.
(g) The commissioner may adopt rules as necessary to
administer this section.
(h) A decision or determination by the commissioner under
this section is final and may not be appealed.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.