S.B. No. 2158
AN ACT
relating to requiring the Texas Education Agency to provide
identification kits to school districts and open-enrollment
charter schools for distribution to the parent or legal custodian
of certain students.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter C, Chapter 33, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 33.0531 to read as follows:
Sec. 33.0531. CHILD IDENTIFICATION PROGRAM. (a) The
agency shall provide to all school districts and open-enrollment
charter schools inkless, in-home fingerprint and DNA
identification kits to be distributed through the district or
school on request to the parent or legal custodian of any
kindergarten, elementary, or middle school student.
(b) A parent or legal custodian who receives a fingerprint
and DNA identification kit may submit the kit to federal, state,
tribal, or local law enforcement to help locate and return a missing
or trafficked child.
SECTION 2. Section 33.057, Education Code, is amended to
read as follows:
Sec. 33.057. DESTRUCTION OF FINGERPRINTS AND PHOTOGRAPHS.
The agency shall adopt rules relating to the destruction of
fingerprints and photographs made or kept under Section 33.053 or
33.054 [this subchapter].
SECTION 3. The Texas Education Agency is required to
implement Section 33.0531, Education Code, as added by this Act,
only if the legislature appropriates money specifically for that
purpose. If the legislature does not appropriate money
specifically for that purpose, the agency may, but is not required
to, implement that section using other appropriations available for
that purpose.
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I hereby certify that S.B. No. 2158 passed the Senate on
April 28, 2021, by the following vote: Yeas 30, Nays 1.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
I hereby certify that S.B. No. 2158 passed the House on
May 25, 2021, by the following vote: Yeas 113, Nays 32, two
present not voting.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
Approved:
______________________________
Date
______________________________
Governor