| 2 | 4 | | |
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| 3 | 5 | | |
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| 4 | 6 | | A BILL TO BE ENTITLED |
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| 5 | 7 | | AN ACT |
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| 6 | 8 | | relating to a grant program for nonprofit children's theatres to |
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| 7 | 9 | | increase the accessibility of their facilities. |
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| 8 | 10 | | BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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| 9 | 11 | | SECTION 1. Chapter 444, Government Code, is amended by |
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| 10 | 12 | | adding Section 444.033 to read as follows: |
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| 11 | 13 | | Sec. 444.033. CHILDREN'S THEATER ACCESSIBILITY ADVANCEMENT |
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| 12 | 14 | | GRANT PROGRAM: (a) In this section: |
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| 13 | 15 | | (1) "Children's theatre" means a theatre that is |
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| 14 | 16 | | primarily attended by or targeted towards |
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| 15 | 17 | | children; |
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| 16 | 18 | | (2) "Accommodations" means reasonable modifications |
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| 17 | 19 | | or renovations to a theater to facilitate access |
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| 18 | 20 | | for individuals with disabilities. |
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| 19 | 21 | | (3) "Nonprofit corporation" has the meaning defined in |
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| 20 | 22 | | Section 22.001, Business and Organizations Code. |
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| 21 | 23 | | (b) The commission shall establish and administer the |
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| 22 | 24 | | Children's Theatre Accessibility Advancement Grant Program to |
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| 23 | 25 | | assist children's theaters with projects that increase the physical |
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| 24 | 26 | | accessibility of their facilities. To be eligible to receive a |
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| 25 | 27 | | grant under this section, an applicant must: |
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| 26 | 28 | | (1) be a nonprofit corporation; |
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| 27 | 29 | | (2) apply in a manner prescribed by commission rule; |
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| 28 | 30 | | (3) be in good standing under the laws of this state; |
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| 29 | 31 | | and |
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| 30 | 32 | | (4) demonstrate a legitimate need for grant funding. |
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| 31 | 33 | | (c) A grant under this section may be used only for expenses |
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| 32 | 34 | | that address the ability of theater facilities to accommodate |
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| 33 | 35 | | individuals with disabilities; |
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| 34 | 36 | | (d) The grant program shall prioritize applicants that: |
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| 35 | 37 | | (1) demonstrate a record of partnership with a school |
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| 36 | 38 | | district or open enrolment charter school to provide |
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| 37 | 39 | | performances and education opportunities to children |
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| 38 | 40 | | free of charge; |
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| 39 | 41 | | (2) offer opportunities for children with |
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| 40 | 42 | | disabilities to engage in the creative process, |
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| 41 | 43 | | including through acting, set design, and other aspects |
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| 42 | 44 | | of theatre production. |
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| 43 | 45 | | (e) As soon as practicable after the effective date of this |
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| 44 | 46 | | Act, and not later than September 1, 2026, the Commission on |
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| 45 | 47 | | the Arts may adopt rules necessary to implement this section. |
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| 46 | 48 | | SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025 |
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