S.B. No. 481 AN ACT relating to the transfer of certain public school students to a school district offering in-person instruction. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 25, Education Code, is amended by adding Section 25.045 to read as follows: Sec. 25.045. TRANSFER TO DISTRICT OFFERING IN-PERSON INSTRUCTION. (a) In this section, "virtual instruction" means instructional activities delivered to students primarily over the Internet. (b) If a school district provides notice to the parent or person standing in parental relation to a student enrolled in the district of the district's intent to offer only virtual instruction for more than one grading period during a school year, the student may transfer for that school year to another school district that: (1) offers in-person instruction during that school year; and (2) accepts the student's transfer. (c) A student who transfers to another school district under this section may not be charged tuition. The student is included in the average daily attendance of the district in which the student attends school. (d) The commissioner may adopt rules necessary to implement this section. SECTION 2. This Act applies beginning with the 2021-2022 school year. SECTION 3. 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. ______________________________ ______________________________ President of the Senate Speaker of the House I hereby certify that S.B. No. 481 passed the Senate on April 9, 2021, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0. ______________________________ Secretary of the Senate I hereby certify that S.B. No. 481 passed the House on May 23, 2021, by the following vote: Yeas 139, Nays 7, one present not voting. ______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House Approved: ______________________________ Date ______________________________ Governor