By:  Shapiro                                           S.B. No. 697
       73R4168 CAE-F
                                 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
    1-1                                AN ACT
    1-2  relating to a pilot program for the inclusion of students with
    1-3  disabilities in the regular classroom.
    1-4        BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
    1-5        SECTION 1.  Subchapter N, Chapter 21, Education Code, is
    1-6  amended by adding Section 21.513 to read as follows:
    1-7        Sec. 21.513.  PILOT PROGRAM FOR INCLUSION.  The Central
    1-8  Education Agency shall establish procedures and criteria for the
    1-9  allocation of funds appropriated under Section 16.151(m) of this
   1-10  code to school districts selected by the agency to establish a
   1-11  pilot program for the inclusion of students with disabilities in
   1-12  the regular classroom so that those students may receive an
   1-13  appropriate free public education in the least restrictive
   1-14  environment.
   1-15        SECTION 2.  Section 16.151,  Education Code, is amended by
   1-16  adding Subsection (m) to read as follows:
   1-17        (m)  From the total amount of funds appropriated for special
   1-18  education under this section, the commissioner of education shall
   1-19  withhold an amount specified in the General Appropriations Act,
   1-20  which for the 1994-1995 biennium may not exceed $5 million, and
   1-21  distribute that amount for programs under Section 21.513 of this
   1-22  code.  The program established under that section is required only
   1-23  in school districts in which the program is financed by funds
   1-24  distributed under this section and any other funds available for
    2-1  the program.  After deducting the amount withheld under this
    2-2  subsection from the total amount appropriated for special
    2-3  education, the commissioner of education shall reduce each
    2-4  district's allotment proportionately and shall allocate funds to
    2-5  each district accordingly.
    2-6        SECTION 3.  This Act applies beginning with the 1993-1994
    2-7  school year.
    2-8        SECTION 4.  The importance of this legislation and the
    2-9  crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an
   2-10  emergency and an imperative public necessity that the
   2-11  constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several
   2-12  days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended,
   2-13  and that this Act take effect and be in force from and after its
   2-14  passage, and it is so enacted.