By: Zaffirini S.B. No. 55
(González of El Paso)
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to a study and report by the Texas Higher Education
Coordinating Board regarding best practices for assisting students
with autism spectrum disorder.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter C, Chapter 61, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 61.06694 to read as follows:
Sec. 61.06694. STUDY AND REPORT ON ASSISTING STUDENTS WITH
AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER. (a) The board, with the assistance of
the advisory council on postsecondary education for persons with
intellectual and developmental disabilities established under
Section 61.06641, shall conduct a study to determine best practices
for assisting students with autism spectrum disorder who are
enrolled at institutions of higher education.
(b) The study must:
(1) identify and track:
(A) the number of students with autism spectrum
disorder who graduate from secondary schools in this state;
(B) the number of students with autism spectrum
disorder who are enrolled at institutions of higher education;
(C) the student financial assistance available
to students with autism spectrum disorder who enroll at
institutions of higher education; and
(D) the graduation rates of students with autism
spectrum disorder who enroll at institutions of higher education;
and
(2) identify and examine best practices and program
modules from public and private institutions of higher education
outside this state that have achieved successful results in working
with students with autism spectrum disorder.
(c) In conducting the study, the board:
(1) shall collaborate with the Texas Education Agency
regarding specialized programs offered by elementary or secondary
schools for students with autism spectrum disorder to determine how
those programs could be replicated at or extended to postsecondary
institutions; and
(2) may not request, require, or use personally
identifiable student information.
(d) Not later than December 1, 2025, the board shall submit
to the governor, the lieutenant governor, the speaker of the house
of representatives, and the commissioner of education a written
report that includes the study's findings and any recommendations
for legislative or other action.
(e) This section expires January 1, 2026.
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, 2023.