Enrolled Bill Summary

Senate Bill 1716	Senate Author:  Taylor et al.
Effective:  6-18-21	House Sponsor:  Bonnen et al.

            Senate Bill 1716 amends the Education Code to require the Texas Education Agency (TEA) to establish and administer a supplemental special education services and instructional materials program.  The bill provides for a maximum per-student grant of $1,500 to purchase such services and materials from TEA-approved providers or vendors, as applicable, and requires the commissioner of education to set aside a maximum of $30 million from appropriations for each state fiscal year to fund the program. The bill requires TEA to designate one or more regional education service centers to administer the program and sets out provisions relating to student eligibility, the assignment of online grant accounts, and TEA approval of providers and vendors.

Senate Bill 1716 requires a student's admission, review, and dismissal committee to develop the student's individualized education program without consideration of any supplemental special education services that may be provided under the program and to provide certain program information to the student's parent. Implementation of a provision of the bill by TEA is mandatory only if a specific appropriation is made for that purpose. The bill's provisions expire September 1, 2024.