SRC-JXG H.B. 772 76(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 772
76R12627 KKA-DBy: Davis, Yvonne (Nelson)
Education
5/11/1999
Engrossed


DIGEST 

Currently, some school districts offer voluntary educational programs
outside of regular school hours to help students make up missed instruction
or to provide more personalized instruction.  After the 1997-1998 school
year, the Texas Education Agency general counsel issued an opinion
prohibiting school districts from charging fees for any activities unless
specifically authorized to do so in the Texas Education Code.  H.B. 772
would authorize school districts to charge a fee for such voluntary
educational programs to make up missed instruction, but provides that at
least one option for making up missed instruction without paying a fee must
be provided to students whose absences were due to extenuating
circumstances. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, H.B. 772 authorizes an independent school district to charge a
fee for voluntary educational programs. 

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 11.158(a), Education Code, to authorize the board
of trustees of an independent school district to require payment of a
reasonable fee for the costs associated with an educational program offered
outside of regular school hours through which s student who was absent from
class receives instruction voluntarily for the purpose of making up the
missed instruction and meeting the level of attendance required under
Section 25.092. 

SECTION 2. Amends Section 25.092(b), Education Code, to require the
alternative ways to include at least one option that does not require a
student to pay a fee authorized under Section 11.158(a)(15). 

SECTION 3. Provides that this Act applies beginning with the 1999-2000
school year. 

SECTION 4. Emergency clause.
           Effective date: upon passage.