BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 4334

By: Minjarez

Public Education

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

It has been suggested that there is a lack of resources and knowledge around eligibility for programs that would benefit certain students who are economically disadvantaged. Public assistance programs exist so the government can help low-income families access the financial aid or public aid they need. H.B. 4334 seeks to ensure that school districts provide students with information necessary to access public assistance programs by requiring a district, on a student's enrollment in, transfer out of, or withdrawal from the district, to provide to the student and the student's parent information regarding the eligibility requirements for public assistance programs, including Medicaid, CHIP, and SNAP.  

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 4334 amends the Education Code to require a public school district, on a student's enrollment in, transfer out of, or withdrawal from the district, to provide to the student and the student's parent information regarding the eligibility requirements for public assistance programs, including Medicaid, CHIP, and SNAP. The bill requires the Texas Education Agency, in coordination with the Health and Human Services Commission, to prepare and make available to school districts a model form for the information. The bill requires a school district, in providing the information, to ensure that the student's parent signs a form acknowledging receipt of the information.

H.B. 4334 applies beginning with the 2021-2022 school year.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2021.