S.B. No. 2304
AN ACT
relating to the regulation of driver education courses and driving
safety courses and the provision of information regarding the Texas
Driving with Disability Program to 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. DRIVING WITH DISABILITY PROGRAM INFORMATION.
(a) Each school district and open-enrollment charter school shall
provide information regarding the Texas Driving with Disability
Program to:
(1) students who have a health condition or disability
that may impede effective communication with a peace officer and:
(A) who receive special education services under
Subchapter A; or
(B) who are covered by Section 504,
Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Section 794); and
(2) the parents of students described by Subdivision
(1).
(b) The information described under Subsection (a) shall be
provided to each student who is 16 years of age or older and
annually until the earlier of the student's:
(1) graduation from high school; or
(2) 21st birthday.
(c) The agency shall collaborate with the Department of
Public Safety, the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles, and the
Governor's Committee on People with Disabilities to develop the
information materials to be provided under Subsection (a). The
materials:
(1) must include information regarding a person's
option to voluntarily list any health condition or disability that
may impede the person's communication with a peace officer on a
person's vehicle registration information in accordance with
Section 502.061, Transportation Code, or application for an
original license under Section 521.142, Transportation Code; and
(2) may be provided with any transition planning
materials provided under this subchapter.
SECTION 2. Section 1001.001, Education Code, is amended by
amending Subdivisions (2) and (14) to read as follows:
(2) "Classroom instruction" includes instruction
provided:
(A) in a traditional classroom setting or through
other physical means or remotely through the Internet; and
(B) by an in-person driver education provider in
the manner described by Paragraph (A).
(14) "In-person driver education provider" means a
business that provides driver education courses in person,
including behind-the-wheel instruction, classroom instruction,
observation instruction, or driver's license examinations.
SECTION 3. Subchapter C, Chapter 1001, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 1001.10161 to read as follows:
Sec. 1001.10161. DRIVING WITH DISABILITY PROGRAM
INFORMATION. The commission by rule shall require that information
relating to the Texas Driving with Disability Program be included
in the curriculum of each driver education and driving safety
course.
SECTION 4. (a) Not later than May 1, 2024, the Texas
Commission of Licensing and Regulation shall adopt the rules
required by Section 1001.10161, Education Code, as added by this
Act.
(b) Not later than September 1, 2024, each provider of a
driver education course or a driving safety course shall certify to
the Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation that the course
curriculum has been updated to include the information required by
Section 1001.10161, Education Code, as added by this Act.
SECTION 5. This Act applies beginning with the 2023-2024
school year.
SECTION 6. 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, 2023.
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I hereby certify that S.B. No. 2304 passed the Senate on
May 3, 2023, by the following vote: Yeas 30, Nays 1.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
I hereby certify that S.B. No. 2304 passed the House on
May 22, 2023, by the following vote: Yeas 134, Nays 11, one
present not voting.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
Approved:
______________________________
Date
______________________________
Governor