SRC-MAX C.S.S.B. 247 75(R)BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research CenterC.S.S.B. 247 By: Nelson Education 2-18-97 Committee Report (Substituted) DIGEST Currently, a minor is required to attend school until the academic year in which the child's 17th birthday occurs, with few exceptions. This bill changes the year in which a minor is allowed to make a decision concerning attending school and makes such policies more uniform. S.B. 247 requires a minor to participate in compulsory education until the academic year in which the child's 18th birthday occurred, rather than 17th birthday, with few exceptions. PURPOSE As proposed, C.S.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 This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. 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 and is attending a course of instruction to prepare for the high school equivalency examination and has permission of the child's parent or guardian to attend the course, is required by court order to attend the course, has established a residence separate and apart from the child's parent, guardian or other person having lawful control of the child 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. SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE CHANGES Amends SECTION 1, Section 25.085(b), Education Code, to require a child who has not yet reached his or her 18th birthday to attend school. Amends SECTION 2, Section 25.086(a), Education Code, to exempt from the requirements of compulsory school attendance a child who is at least 17 years of age and has established a residence separate and apart from the child's parent, guardian, or other person having lawful control of the child, or is homeless by 42 U.S.C. Section 11302.