By Jones of Dallas H.B. No. 1228 76R4521 ESH-D A BILL TO BE ENTITLED 1-1 AN ACT 1-2 relating to the student/teacher ratio in public school 1-3 prekindergarten classes. 1-4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: 1-5 SECTION 1. Section 29.153, Education Code, is amended by 1-6 adding Subsection (h) to read as follows: 1-7 (h) A school district's prekindergarten program must 1-8 maintain a student/teacher ratio equivalent to the staff/child 1-9 ratio applicable to a child-care facility under rules adopted by 1-10 the Department of Protective and Regulatory Services under Section 1-11 42.042, Human Resources Code. 1-12 SECTION 2. This Act applies beginning with the 1999-2000 1-13 school year. 1-14 SECTION 3. The importance of this legislation and the 1-15 crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an 1-16 emergency and an imperative public necessity that the 1-17 constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several 1-18 days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended, 1-19 and that this Act take effect and be in force from and after its 1-20 passage, and it is so enacted.