BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	H.B. 332
87R16616 KJE-D	By: Talarico et al. (Lucio)
	Education
	5/20/2021
	Engrossed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

To help students who are at risk of dropping out of school, Texas provides additional funding through the compensatory education weight, which may be used on programs that focus on retaining these students. Statute lays out the types of services that may be paid for with these funds, but the list does not currently include programs that help students develop personal skills such as managing emotions, creating positive relationships, and making responsible decisions. These skills are vital for students to continue to thrive, both in school and in the world after graduation.

H.B. 332 provides additional flexibility in providing needed programs for at-risk students by expanding the allowable uses of compensatory education funding. Specifically, the bill allows districts to provide programs for building skills related to managing emotions, positive relationships, and decision-making. Allowing districts the option to offer such programs will help them better serve the needs of students who may be at risk of dropping out of school.

H.B. 332 amends current law relating to the use of the compensatory education allotment for programs that build certain social and emotional skills.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Section 48.104(j-1), Education Code, as follows:

(j-1) Authorizes the funds allocated under Section 48.104 (Compensatory Education Allotment) to also be used to provide child-care services or assistance with child-care expenses for students at risk of dropping out of school under Section 29.081(d) (relating to the definition of "student at risk of dropping out of school")� because the students are parents, rather than as described by Section 29.081(d)(5) (relating to defining "student at risk of dropping out of school" to include a student who is under 26 years of age and who is pregnant or is a parent), or provide programs that build skills related to managing emotions, establishing and maintaining positive relationships, and making responsible decisions. Makes nonsubstantive changes.

SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2021.