JLM S.B. 247 75(R) BILL ANALYSIS PUBLIC EDUCATION S.B. 247 By: Nelson (Culberson) 5-18-97 Committee Report (Amended) BACKGROUND Currently, a minor is required to attend school until the academic year in which the child's 17th birthday occurs, with few exceptions. PURPOSE As proposed, S.B. 247 requires a minor to participate in compulsory education until the academic year in which the child's 18th birthday occurs, with few exceptions. 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 Section 25.085(b), Education Code, to require a child who has not yet reached his or her 18th birthday, rather than 17th birthday, to attend school. SECTION 2. Amends Section 25.086(a), Education Code, to provide that a child is exempt from the requirements of compulsory school attendance if the child is at least 17 years of age, is attending a course of instruction to prepare for the high school equivalency examination through permission of the child's parent or guardian or by court order to attend the course, has established a residence separate and apart from the child's parent or guardian, or is homeless as defined by 42 U.S.C. Section 11302, among other exemptions. SECTION 3. Provides that this Act applies beginning with the 1997-1998 school year. SECTION 4. Emergency clause. Effective date: upon passage. EXPLANATION OF AMENDMENTS AMENDMENT 1. Amends Section 25.095(a) of the Education Code by adding a requirement for a school district to notify a student's parent or guardian in writing if the student has been absent without an excuse twice during any part of the day within a four-week period. Also adds subsection (b) revising the required information on the notice.