SRC-CTC S.B. 704 77(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 704
77R4345 CAS-FBy: West, Royce
Education
3/12/2001
As Filed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Currently, state law draws a narrow distinction between a school uniform
requirement and a standardized dress code.  If a school district adopts a
school uniform, the school board must designate a source of funding to be
used in providing uniforms for students who are educationally
disadvantaged. However, if a school district adopts a standardized dress
code, it is not required to provide clothing to educationally disadvantaged
students.  As proposed, S.B. 704 authorizes a school district to discipline
an educationally disadvantaged student for violation of the district's
standardized dress code if the district has designated a means by which the
student may obtain clothing, without charge, that complies with the dress
code. 

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 Chapter 11D, Education Code, by adding Section 11.1621,
as follows: 

Sec. 11.1621.  SCHOOL DISTRICT DRESS CODES.  (a) Authorizes the board of
trustees of an independent school district to adopt a student dress code,
including reasonable restrictions on student dress to improve the learning
environment or to maintain order in the district. 

(b)  Provides that this subsection only applies to a student who is
educationally disadvantaged and whose parent demonstrates to the
satisfaction of the district that the parent is financially unable to
purchase clothing that complies with the district dress code.  Authorizes a
district to discipline a student for violating the dress code only if the
district provides a means by which the student may obtain clothing that
complies with the dress code without cost to the student's parent. 

(c)  Provides that a decision by a board of trustees under this section
concerning the reasonableness of restrictions on student dress or a
parent's financial inability to purchase clothing that complies with the
district dress code is final and prohibits the decision from being appealed
under Section 7.057. 

 (d)  Defines "parent."

SECTION 2.  Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2001.