BILL ANALYSIS

S.B. 2066

By: Menéndez

Public Education

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

It has been suggested that the term "student of limited English proficiency" is out of date and should be changed in statute. Over one million emergent bilingual students are currently enrolled in Texas public schools. Texas educates the highest percentage of emergent bilingual students in the country. S.B. 2066 seeks to update this usage by replacing that term with "emergent bilingual student."

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. 2066 amends the Education Code, for purposes of bilingual education and special language programs and the statutory references to those programs and applicable students, to replace the term "student of limited English proficiency" with the term "emergent bilingual student."  

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2021.