SRC-JXG H.B. 907 76(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 907
76R12460 CAS-FBy: Siebert (Wentworth)
Education
5/13/1999
Engrossed


DIGEST 

Currently, Texas law requires a person who is 17 years old to attend school
until age 18, and allows 18, 19, and 20 year-olds to attend school
voluntarily.  A student who is 18 years old or older is eligible for Social
Security Survivor Benefits.  The Social Security Administration
(administration) requires proof of enrollment from a student, but the
administration does not scrutinize the student's attendance.  Voluntary
students who enroll in school only to obtain these benefits often do not
attend regularly, and may engage in activities on campus that are
distracting to other students.  H.B. 907 allows a person to voluntarily
enroll in school or voluntarily attend school after the person's 18th
birthday, but requires the person to comply with attendance requirements. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, H.B. 907 allows a person over 18 years of age to attend
school, but requires the person to comply with certain attendance
requirements. 

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, Education Code, by adding Subsection (e),
as follows:  

(e) Requires a person who voluntarily enrolls in school or voluntarily
attends school after the person's 18th birthday to attend school each
school day for the entire period of the program of instruction offered.
Authorizes a school district to revoke for the remainder of the school year
the enrollment of a person who has more than five unexcused absences in a
semester. Provides that a person whose enrollment is revoked may be
considered an unauthorized person on school district grounds for purpose of
Section 37.107, Education Code.  

SECTION 2.  Amends Section 25.087(a), Education Code, to make a conforming
change.  

SECTION 3.  Makes application of this Act prospective beginning with
the1999-2000 school year. 

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