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.