87S20452 MM-D
By: Dominguez H.B. No. 203
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to requiring public schools to offer a virtual learning
option during a disaster.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter Z, Chapter 29, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 29.9092 to read as follows:
Sec. 29.9092. VIRTUAL LEARNING OPTION DURING DISASTER. (a)
During any school year in which a school district's or
open-enrollment charter school's operations, including in-person
attendance, are disrupted due to a disaster declared by the
president of the United States under the Robert T. Stafford
Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. Section
5121 et seq.) or by the governor under Chapter 418, Government Code,
the district or school shall offer to the district's or school's
students a virtual learning option through which students may
attend school virtually.
(b) A student enrolled in a virtual learning option under
this section shall be counted toward the school district's or
open-enrollment charter school's average daily attendance in the
same manner as other district or school students. The commissioner
shall adopt rules providing for a method of taking attendance, once
each school day, for students enrolled in a virtual learning
option.
(c) Chapter 30A does not apply to a virtual course offered
under a virtual learning option under 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 on the 91st day after the last day of the
legislative session.