By: González of El Paso H.B. No. 1602
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to information regarding career and employment skills
development required to be included with a written statement of an
individualized education program developed for certain public
school students.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 29, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 29.0113 to read as follows:
Sec. 29.0113. CAREER AND EMPLOYMENT SKILLS DEVELOPMENT.
(a) For students eligible to begin transition planning under
sections 29.011 and 29.0111, the strategies described in this
subsection shall be considered, and, when needed, addressed in the
individualized education program. The district shall prepare a
supplement to be included with the written statement of the
individualized education program developed for the child under
Section 29.005(b). The supplement must include information
indicating:
(1) the need for and use of age-appropriate transition
assessments that collect data on the student's needs, preferences
and interests regarding employment, self-determination and
self-advocacy, independent living and study skills;
(2) the development of appropriate employment goals
and objectives;
(3) the need for and development of independent living
goals and objectives;
(4) the need for and use of supplementary aids,
services, curricula, and other opportunities to assist the student
in developing decision-making skills, and the supports and services
needed to foster the student's independence and
self-determination, including a supported decision-making
agreement under Chapter 1357, Estates Code;
(5) the need for and use of age-appropriate
instructional environments, including community settings to
prepare the student for postsecondary education or training, or
competitive integrated employment;
(6) the development of appropriate measurable
postsecondary goals based on transition assessments related to
training, education, employment, and, where appropriate,
independent living skills;
(7) the need to facilitate a referral of a student or
the student's parents to a governmental agency for services or
public benefits, including a referral to a governmental agency for
public benefits available to the student, such as a waiver program
established under Section 1915(c), Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.
Section 1396n(c)), including supported employment and employment
assistance services;
(8) the transition services, including courses of
study, needed to assist the student in reaching the postsecondary
goals developed under this subsection;
(9) the job exploration activities available to and
utilized by the student;
(10) the need for a referral to vocational
rehabilitation services;
(11) the need to invite the student's vocational
rehabilitation counselor to the student's admission, review, and
dismissal committee meeting and opportunities for collaboration
between the district and vocational rehabilitation; and
(12) training needed for teachers, counselors,
parents and other school staff needed to implement the students
transition and employment goals.
(b) A student's admission, review, and dismissal committee
shall annually review the issues described by Subsection (a) and,
if necessary, update the portions of the student's individualized
education program that address those issues.
(c) The written statement of the individualized education
program must document the decisions of the admission, review, and
dismissal committee with respect to issues discussed at each
admission, review, and dismissal committee meeting.
(d) Section 29.005(f) and Section 29.0051 do not apply to a
supplement prepared for inclusion with a written statement of an
individualized education program, as required by this section.
(e) The commissioner shall adopt rules as necessary to
implement this section.
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, 2021.