By: Shapiro, Barrientos S.B. No. 697 Lucio A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT 1-1 relating to a pilot program for the inclusion of students with 1-2 disabilities in the regular classroom. 1-3 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: 1-4 SECTION 1. Subchapter N, Chapter 21, Education Code, is 1-5 amended by adding Section 21.513 to read as follows: 1-6 Sec. 21.513. PILOT PROGRAM FOR INCLUSION. The Central 1-7 Education Agency shall establish procedures and criteria for the 1-8 allocation of funds appropriated under Section 16.151(m) of this 1-9 code to school districts selected by the agency to establish a 1-10 pilot program for the inclusion of students with disabilities in 1-11 the regular classroom so that those students may receive an 1-12 appropriate free public education in the least restrictive 1-13 environment. 1-14 SECTION 2. Section 16.151, Education Code, is amended by 1-15 adding Subsection (m) to read as follows: 1-16 (m) From the total amount of funds appropriated for special 1-17 education under this section, the commissioner of education shall 1-18 withhold an amount specified in the General Appropriations Act, 1-19 which for the 1994-1995 biennium may not exceed $2 million, and 1-20 distribute that amount for programs under Section 21.513 of this 1-21 code. The program established under that section is required only 1-22 in school districts in which the program is financed by funds 1-23 distributed under this section and any other funds available for 1-24 the program. After deducting the amount withheld under this 2-1 subsection from the total amount appropriated for special 2-2 education, the commissioner of education shall reduce each 2-3 district's allotment proportionately and shall allocate funds to 2-4 each district accordingly. 2-5 SECTION 3. This Act applies beginning with the 1993-1994 2-6 school year. 2-7 SECTION 4. The importance of this legislation and the 2-8 crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an 2-9 emergency and an imperative public necessity that the 2-10 constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several 2-11 days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended, 2-12 and that this Act take effect and be in force from and after its 2-13 passage, and it is so enacted.