SRC-CTC S.B. 213 77(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 213
77R1501 CAS-DBy: Bernsen
Education
2/16/2001
As Filed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Currently, state law requires children to attend school if they are at
least six years of age, have previously enrolled in first grade, or are
enrolled in kindergarten.  There is no requirement that a child attend
kindergarten.  As proposed, S.B. 213 requires children who are at least
five years of age on August 1 and children who are younger than five years
of age on August 1 that have previously been enrolled in prekindergarten to
attend kindergarten to aid in preparing children for the following grades. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a
state officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.   Amends Section 25.085(b) and (c), Education Code, to require
that a child who is at least five, rather than six, years of age on August
1 or who is younger than five, rather than six, years of age on August 1
and has previously been enrolled in prekindergarten, rather than first
grade, and who has not yet reached the age of 18 attend school, and on
enrollment in prekindergarten, attend school. 

SECTION 2.  Amends Section 29.151, Education Code, to make a conforming
change. 

SECTION 3.  Makes application of this Act prospective to the 2001-2002
school year. 
Effective date: upon passage or 91st day after adjournment of the
legislative session.