By Krusee H.B. No. 3643 76R863 KKA-D A BILL TO BE ENTITLED 1-1 AN ACT 1-2 relating to open-enrollment charter schools that deliver 1-3 educational services through distance learning courses. 1-4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: 1-5 SECTION 1. Subchapter D, Chapter 12, Education Code, is 1-6 amended by adding Section 12.1012 to read as follows: 1-7 Sec. 12.1012. DISTANCE LEARNING CHARTER SCHOOLS. (a) 1-8 Notwithstanding any other provision of this title, an 1-9 open-enrollment charter school that provides services primarily 1-10 through distance learning courses is entitled to receive state and 1-11 local funding for each student eligible under Section 42.003 who 1-12 receives services from the school in accordance with the charter. 1-13 The commissioner shall develop a funding formula for the school 1-14 that: 1-15 (1) is based on the coursework completed by each 1-16 student; 1-17 (2) does not require attendance records to be 1-18 maintained; and 1-19 (3) results in a total amount of funding comparable to 1-20 other open-enrollment charter schools, adjusted as necessary to 1-21 reflect the characteristics of a provider of distance learning 1-22 courses. 1-23 (b) The commissioner may: 1-24 (1) exempt an open-enrollment charter school that 2-1 provides services primarily through distance learning courses from 2-2 a requirement imposed by this title or a rule adopted under this 2-3 title if necessary because of the characteristics of a provider of 2-4 distance learning courses; and 2-5 (2) impose additional requirements appropriate for a 2-6 provider of distance learning courses as necessary to ensure 2-7 quality education and adequate oversight of the school. 2-8 (c) The commissioner may adopt rules as necessary to 2-9 implement this section. 2-10 SECTION 2. Not later than January 1, 2000, the commissioner 2-11 of education shall develop the funding formula required by Section 2-12 12.1012, Education Code, as added by this Act. 2-13 SECTION 3. The importance of this legislation and the 2-14 crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an 2-15 emergency and an imperative public necessity that the 2-16 constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several 2-17 days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended, 2-18 and that this Act take effect and be in force from and after its 2-19 passage, and it is so enacted.