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.