IMF H.B. 1177 75(R)BILL ANALYSIS


STATE AFFAIRS
H.B. 1177
By: Hochberg
4-3-97
Committee Report (Unamended)



BACKGROUND 

Currently, the state does not expressly allow state employees to use sick
leave for parent-teacher conferences.  Occasionally teachers ask parents
to meet with them concerning the educational needs and development of
their children.  Parents may feel unable to leave work to attend such
meetings because they fear employers will not excuse their absences. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, H.B. 1177 would allow state employees to use 8 hours of sick
leave per year to attend parent-teacher conferences for their children. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any
additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency or
institution. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 661 of the Government Code by adding Subchapter
F as follows: 

Sec. 661.151 (a) states that this Section applies to a state employee who
is a parent of a student in grades prekindergarten through 12th. 

Sec. 661.151 (b) allows a state employee to use up to 8 hours of sick
leave each calender year to attend parent-teacher conference for their
children. 

Sec. 661.151 (c) requires a parent to give an employer reasonable advance
notice of their intention to use sick leave to attend a parent-teacher
conference. 

Sec. 661.151 (d) definitions.

SECTION 2. Effective date:  September 1, 1997.

SECTION 3. Emergency clause.