BILL ANALYSIS

S.B. 289

By: Seliger

Public Education

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

It has been noted that some young Texans have difficulty finding time in order to obtain a driver's license or learner license. S.B. 289 seeks to address this issue by authorizing public schools to excuse a student's absence from school for the purpose of obtaining a driver's license or learner's license.

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

S.B. 289 amends the Education Code to authorize a public school district to excuse a student who is 15 years of age or older from attending school to visit a driver's license office to obtain a driver's license or learner license, provided that the district verifies the student's visit to the driver's license office in accordance with procedures adopted by the district. The bill caps the number of absences a student may have excused for such a purpose during the period the student is enrolled in high school for each such purpose at one. The bill 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.