HBA-MPM H.B. 2645 76(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 2645
By: Uher
Public Education
3/19/1999
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

During the 75th Legislative Session, the compulsory attendance age for
public schools was changed from 17 to 18 years of age.  Many students who
are expelled from the public educational system are recommended to a
juvenile justice alternative education program.  Currently, the juvenile
court system has authority over these individuals up to the age of 17,
after which they lose a certain amount of jurisdiction. H.B. 2645 lowers
the compulsory attendance age back to 17, thereby restoring the juvenile
courts' authority over expelled students attending a juvenile justice
alternative education program. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does
not expressly delegate 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 decrease the age
at which a child who is at least six years of age or younger than six
years, and has previously been enrolled in the first grade is required to
attend school, to the child's 17th birthday, rather than the child's 18th
birthday. 

SECTION 2.  Amends Section 25.086(a), Education Code, to delete certain
criteria exempting a child from the requirements of compulsory school
attendance, more specifically, a child who is at least 17 years of age and
who: 

_is attending a course of instruction to prepare for the high school
equivalency examination, and has the permission of a 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 parent, guardian, or
other person having lawful control of the child, or is homeless as defined
by 42 U.S.C., Section 11302; or 
_has received a high school diploma or high school equivalency certificate.

Redesignates Subdivisions (7)-(9) to Subdivisions (6)-(8).

SECTION 3.  Makes this Act applicable beginning with the 1999-2000 school
year. 

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