S.B. No. 1557
AN ACT
relating to military-connected students, including providing a
designation for certain school district campuses that take actions
to assist those students.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 25.006(d), Education Code, is amended to
read as follows:
(d) In this section, "military-connected student" means a
student enrolled in a school district or open-enrollment charter
school who:
(1) is a dependent of a current or former member of:
(A) [(1)] the United States military [serving in
the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard on active
duty];
(B) [(2)] the Texas National Guard; or
(C) [(3)] a reserve force of the United States
military; or
(2) was a dependent of a member of a military or
reserve force described by Subdivision (1) who was killed in the
line of duty.
SECTION 2. Subchapter Z, Chapter 33, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 33.909 to read as follows:
Sec. 33.909. PURPLE STAR CAMPUS. (a) In this section,
"military-connected student" has the meaning assigned by Section
25.006.
(b) The agency shall designate a school district campus as a
Purple Star Campus if the campus applies and qualifies for the
designation under this section.
(c) To qualify as a Purple Star Campus, a campus must:
(1) designate a staff member as a military liaison,
whose duties include:
(A) identifying military-connected students
enrolled at the campus through the Public Education Information
Management System (PEIMS);
(B) serving as the point of contact between the
campus and military-connected students and their families;
(C) determining appropriate campus services
available to military-connected students; and
(D) assisting in coordinating campus programs
relevant to military-connected students;
(2) maintain on the campus Internet website an easily
accessible web page that includes resources for military-connected
students and their families, including information regarding:
(A) relocation to, enrollment at, registration
at, and transferring records to the campus;
(B) academic planning, course sequences, and
advanced classes available at the campus;
(C) counseling and other support services
available for military-connected students enrolled at the campus;
and
(D) the military liaison designated under
Subdivision (1) and the liaison's duties under that subdivision;
(3) maintain a transition program led by students,
where appropriate, that assists military-connected students in
transitioning into the campus;
(4) offer professional development for staff members
on issues related to military-connected students; and
(5) offer at least one of the following initiatives:
(A) a resolution showing support for
military-connected students and their families;
(B) recognition of the Month of the Military
Child or Military Family Month with relevant events hosted by the
campus; or
(C) a partnership with a local military
installation that provides opportunities for active duty military
members to volunteer at the campus, speak at an assembly, or host a
field trip.
(d) To comply with a requirement under Subsection (c)(2),
(4), or (5), a school district campus may partner with the district
to provide:
(1) an Internet website web page required under
Subsection (c)(2) if the campus does not have an Internet website;
(2) professional development required under
Subsection (c)(4); or
(3) an initiative required under Subsection (c)(5).
(e) The agency shall adopt rules as necessary to administer
this section.
SECTION 3. This Act applies beginning with the 2019-2020
school year.
SECTION 4. 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, 2019.
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1557 passed the Senate on
April 11, 2019, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
I hereby certify that S.B. No. 1557 passed the House on
May 14, 2019, by the following vote: Yeas 140, Nays 1, two
present not voting.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
Approved:
______________________________
Date
______________________________
Governor