SRC-JRN H.B. 583 75(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center H.B. 583 By: Maxey (Barrientos) Education 5-16-97 Engrossed DIGEST Currently, there exists a unit for parental involvement and community empowerment created by the commissioner of education. However, activities related to parental involvement are still not centralized within the Texas Education Agency. This bill requires the agency to establish a division that would consolidate all agency activities related to parental involvement. PURPOSE As proposed, H.B. 583 requires the Texas Education Agency to establish a division that would consolidate all agency activities related to parental involvement. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 7B, Education Code, by adding Section 7.025, as follows: Sec. 7.025. PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT DIVISION. Requires the Texas Education Agency (agency) to establish a parental involvement division (division). Requires the division to develop, implement, and administer programs and activities to encourage and maintain parental involvement in public schools. SECTION 2. Amends Section 7.056(b), Education Code, to require an application for a waiver from a school district to include written comments and the signature of the chairperson of the appropriate campus- or district-level committee established under Section 11.251 evidencing review of the application by a majority of the members of the committee, according to certain provisions. SECTION 3. Amends Section 39.052, Education Code, by amending Subsections (b) and (c), and adding Subsection (d), to require a report card to include certain information, including the phone number of the agency's parental involvement division, and the phone number at the agency to call for information concerning assessment instruments under Section 39.023. Requires phone numbers required under Subsections (b)(4) and (5) to be toll free to further encourage parental involvement. Requires the commissioner to adopt rules for requiring dissemination of appropriate student performance portions of campus report cards and the information required under Subsections (b)(4) and (5) annually to certain persons. SECTION 4. Amends Section 45.105(c), Education Code, to authorize certain funds, including state funds not designated for a specific purpose, to be used for purposes listed for state and county funds, including purposes necessary in the conduct of the public schools. Makes a conforming and nonsubstantive change. SECTION 5. Amends Chapter 101B, Civil Practice and Remedies Code, by adding Section 101.0216, as follows: Sec. 101.0216. LIABILITY OF SCHOOL DISTRICT. Provides that a school district is liable for damages for personal injury or death, if certain conditions occur. Prohibits Sections 101.023, 101.024, and 101.106 from applying to the liability of a school district under this section. Defines "sexual misconduct." SECTION 6. Amends Section 101.051, Civil Practice and Remedies Code, to provide that this chapter does not apply to a junior college district, except as to motor vehicles. Provides that this chapter does not apply to a school district, except as to motor vehicles and and provided by Section 101.0216. SECTION 7. Amends Section 22.051(b), Education Code, to provide that this section does not apply to the operation, use, or maintenance of any motor vehicle or to any act for which a school district may be liable under Section 101.0216, Civil Practice and Remedies Code. SECTION 8. Makes application of this Act prospective. SECTION 9. Requires the commissioner of education to consolidate certain programs of the Texas Education Agency on January 1, 1998. Requires certain materials that are the property of the Texas Education Agency that relate to parental involvement programs to be transferred to the custody of the parental involvement division of the agency on January 1, 1998. SECTION 10. Provides that the amendment to Sections 39.052(b) and (d), Education Code, applies to campus report cards for the 1997-1998 school year and each school year thereafter. SECTION 11. Effective date: September 1, 1997. SECTION 12. Emergency clause.